WOODSTOCK — The Rivendell Academy boys soccer team scored early and held on late Wednesday during a 2-1 defeat of Woodstock. The Vermont Division IV Raptors improved to 4-1 with their fourth consecutive victory while the Division II Wasps fell to 2-1.
Rivendell, playing without injured starters Mattia Cacciatori and Derek Vogelien, received both goals from midfielder Josiah Welch. The senior first struck midway through the first half, dodging a defender before unleashing a 30-yard blast that dipped under the crossbar.
Welch struck again 10 minutes before intermission, this time carrying the ball on a left-to-right across the top of the Wasps’ penalty area. Finally working free on the right side, Welch somehow twisted and sent a low shot back inside the left post.
The majority of the second half was contested on Rivendell’s side of the field and Ezra Lockhart cut the Raptors’ lead in half four minutes after the resumption of play. The junior scored inside the left post but was assessed a yellow card six minutes later and another with 14 minutes to play, leading to his ejection.
Woodstock pushed on with only 10 players and earned a prime scoring choice with four minutes remaining. However, Declan McCullough couldn’t settle the ball or produce a shot in front of an open net.
Raptors goalkeeper Carter Bacon turned in a strong performance during the foul-filled contest. However, the Wasps had trouble solving a defense led by central back Harry Molesworth and created only a handful of serious threats during the final 20 minutes.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Hurricanes (5-0) stayed unbeaten behind two goals by sophomore Tighe Hrabchak and one by sophomore Nolan Morlock. Senior Blaine Gour made six saves.
“We felt this would be a good challenge, and it was,” Hartford coach Kevin Guilbault said. “We responded really well to their tying goal. The boys fought hard to get a good result.”
Hartford hosts rival Woodstock on Saturday.
WELLS RIVER, Vt. — Sophomore midfielder Andrew Barrett had a hat trick in a 10-minute stretch to lead the Olympians (2-3) past the Bucks. Reece Ilsley and Zadian Walton each had an assist, and junior Dakota Goodridge made six saves.
Oxbow coach Andrew Fisher commended the defense of junior Matthew Corti and sophomore Oden Schlager.
“Strong effort in a game that got very physical,” Fisher said. “Our offense is starting to find a rhythm, and it feels great to beat a team that thumped us pretty good last year. Lots of growth from a team with no seniors.”
The Olympians will go for their third straight win at Craftsbury on Friday.
SHARON — The Phoenix (1-3) took the lead in the third minute on a penalty kick from senior Parker Bogardus, but they would never score again as the Golden Horde took the lead by halftime and held on from there.
It was West Rutland’s first win since the 2020 season, snapping a 19-game losing streak. Sharon was playing without a key offensive contributor in senior Jack Lloyd.
“We got a bit unlucky,” Phoenix coach Grayson Levy said. “Credit to West Rutland, they came out with a plan and they stuck to it. We are well aware of what we didn’t do well today, and what we did do well today that we can improve on.”
The two teams will rematch in West Rutland next Tuesday.
HARDWICK, Vt. — The Panthers got goals from senior midfielder Jacob Gilman and sophomore forward Dempsey McGovern, and an assist from junior defender Mitchell Parkman.
Thetford (1-2-1) hosts North Country on Saturday.
WINDSOR — Sophomore Audrey Rupp, who in the spring plays lacrosse for the Hurricanes, had a goal and an assist to lead the Yellowjackets past Hartford on Wednesday.
Junior Olivia MacLeay also scored and assisted and freshman Kemari Wildgoose had a goal as well. The game was scoreless for the first 20 minutes before Windsor scored all three goals in a 10-minute stretch in the first half.
Yellowjackets coach Jeff Bachey had high praise for sophomore Brianna Barton and senior Skylar Thibodeau in the midfield.
“We played a great first half,” Bachey said. “Our energy was high and we challenged every 50/50 ball. As a result, we took a lead into the half and kept the pressure on in the second.”
Windsor (3-2) hosts Green Mountain on Saturday. Hartford (1-4) is at Otter Valley on Friday.
SOUTH ROYALTON — The Wildcats (4-1) have now won their last three games by a combined 25-0.
Freshman Mackenzie Vesper and senior Ella Perreault each scored twice, and White River Valley got single goals from seniors Jillian Barry and Shannon Hadlock and freshmen Cassie Armstrong and Logan Scott. Barry, sophomore Norah Harwood and junior Tanner Drury each had an assist.
Three Wildcat goalkeepers — senior Ellie Prestridge and freshmen Imari Taylor and Ella LaFromboise — combined for the clean sheet.
“Very unselfish play today from our upperclassmen,” WRV coach Kim Prestridge said. “Our possession was good, and we found some things we can work on as well.”
MILFORD, N.H. — Mary Rainey had a goal and an assist and Sophie Longacre also scored but the Raiders (4-4) fell to the Spartans (4-3-1). Lebanon hosts Pembroke (4-2) on Saturday afternoon.
FAIR HAVEN, Vt. — The Wasps kept their unblemished, unscored upon record intact by routing the Slaters. They are now 5-0 and have scored 28 goals while allowing none.
Senior forward Lily Gubbins recorded a hat trick, and her sister, junior forward Hannah Gubbins, had two assists. Senior forward Natalie Parent scored and assisted, and another senior forward, Norah Harper, also had a goal. Junior midfielder Gracelyn Laperle added an assist.
Woodstock is at Windsor on Friday.
ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. — The Hurricanes (5-0) remained perfect thanks to two goals from junior Kamryn Brower and one from junior Madison Willey.
Hartford hosts Bellows Falls next Tuesday.
CLAREMONT — Senior Roy Shapard had the low individual score of 37 as Lebanon defeated Stevens and ConVal.
Other competitors for Lebanon were senior Dawson Bates (40), senior Alex Blish (41), sophomore Ben Britton (42), junior Jack Clary (43), senior Sam Bates (44) and senior Sean Miller (50).
Senior Cedric Allen led the Cardinals with a 42, and sophomore Aubree Herzog shot a 48.
Lebanon hosts Pelham, Plymouth and Sanborn next Tuesday. Stevens heads to Pelham on Thursday for a tournament that also includes Derryfield and Kearsarge.