JERICHO – An impressive last-minute defensive stand by Mount Mansfield set the stage for Friday’s 7-5 boys Ultimate victory over defending champ Montpelier.
"We had it on the end zone line to tie things up at the end of regulation and turned and they scored to win.” Montpelier coach Cam Mack said.
The Solons competed without five athletes, including a few veteran standouts. The Capital City squad relied on a combination of man-to-man defensive coverage and a partial zone to neutralize MMU for several long stretches.
“We played hard and almost pulled out a windy, messy game,” Mack said. “Our defense was a junk most of the game and it gave MMU fits, although they threw it away a lot.”
Mount Mansfield’s top performers were Clayton Spinney (two goals, one assist) and Jack Tacy-Monroe (two goals, two assists). Both Tacy-Monroe and teammate Adrien Dezon-Gaillard forced four turnovers on the defensive end. The Cougars advanced to the championship as the No. 2 seed in 2021 and upset second-seeded Burr & Burton during last year’s quarterfinals to lock up a spot in the semifnals as a No. 10 seed.
Leading the way for Montpelier were Wyatt Smith (one goal, one assist) and Forrest Holloway (one goal, two assists). Smith and Followay caused three turnovers apiece, while Jasper Ecklund contributed a pair of Ds and added one point for MHS.
Montpelier (1-1) will travel to play St. Johnsbury on May 1 at 7 p.m. Mount Mansfield (2-0) will host Milton the same day at 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Hartford 7, Spaulding 4
HARTFORD - A hat trick by Audrey Rupp and two goals apiece from Madison Barwood and Nella Bowen propelled the Hurricanes past the Crimson Tide during Friday’s defensive battle.
Braelyn Park dished out three assists in the winning effort, while Barwood and Bowen each contributed one assist. Hallee Allen, Meadow Lafallie, Maddie Frost and Isabella Boudreault (one assist) scored for Spaulding. Hartford goalie Dakin Kovatch wound up with 10 saves, compared to 11 stops by Tide netminder Leighla Brandon.
“Hartford is a very talented team with a skilled coaching staff,” Spaulding coach Amanda Arnold said. “It was a physical game, but our team kept their composure and played solid lacrosse. ...Our girls worked hard all game on both sides of the ball. And our goalie played incredibly. She made some clutch saves all throughout the game.
Hartford (2-0) will travel to play Colchester at 4:30 p.m. Monday. Spaulding (1-1) will travel to play Rutland on April 29 at 4:30 p.m. The Hurricanes went a combined 58-3 during the past three seasons and finished with a perfect record in 2022 after earning a 14-9 semifinal win over Spaulding and beating Vergennes in the final.
“As hard as it is to lose, we learned a ton and have time over break to clean up the little things that will help us be better prepared for the rest of the season,” Arnold said.
BOYS LACROSSE
Hartford 16, Spaulding 4
BARRE - Ryan Spaulding and Ezra Mack helped power an explosive Hurricanes offense during Friday’s lopsided victory over the Crimson Tide.
Despite the final outcome, Spaulding coach Matt Flaherty noted a few silver linings from facing off against the defending Division II champs.
“We had a standout short-sick defensive midfielder - Tyler Glassford - that played really tough defense on some of their dodgers,” Spaulding coach Matt Flaherty said. “He is a tough player that fought hard today.”
Evan Peloquin tallied one goal and one assist for the Tide and teammate Jesse Carrier made 11 saves in front of the cage.
“Jesse Carrier had a great save percentage despite the number of goals scored,” Flaherty said. “Hartford possessed the ball really well throughout the game and that gave them a lot of opportunities to score.”
Hartford (2-0) will host Woodstock at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Spaulding (0-3) will travel to play Stower on April 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Harwood 20, Lyndon 0
DUXBURY - Will Burks proved that’s he’s one of the most versatile weapons in Division II by filling in as a goalie on short notice and leading the Highlanders to Friday’s shutout victory over the Vikings.
Burks is a two-year captain for HU and showcased his well-rounded skill set to keep LI off the scoreboard. The Highlanders have outscored opponents 37-1 after one week of action, reminding everyone in Vermont that they deserve to be at the center of the D-II championship conversation once again.
“Evan Andrews had a 102 temperate and could not play in goal today, although he tried,” Harwood coach Chris Lamonia said. “The school sent him home about an hour before the game, and that’s when the team and coaches found out. We talk about responding to adversity a lot on this team. Every day, we are faced with adversity. And you can respond negatively or positively to adversity. But true leaders respond with ease, understand that’s life, accept it and move forward. Our fearless leader - Will Burks - stepped into the goal from the LSM position and stood strong. He faced an adverse situation and had no problem doing what needed to be done for the team. This is the kind of selfless leadership that this team has.”
The Vikings (0-2) will travel to play Milton at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Highlanders (2-0) will travel to play Mount Mansfield the same day.
“Lyndon is a new program and we appreciate their sportsmanship and willingness to take the long bus ride down to Harwood to play us,” Lamonia said. “They have a great coach and group of guys and we appreciate the opportunity to play them. Roughly 20 years ago the Harwood program was just like Lyndon’s. We have been on the receiving end of scores like today many times. There were numerous games in the early days of our program where we had tons of goals scored on us. And given time, I have no doubt that Lyndon will build a leading program.”
BASEBALL
South Burlington 14, U-32 0
NORTHFIELD - Nick Kelly threw a perfect game to boost the Wolves during Saturday’s five-inning victory over the Raiders. U-32 (1-1) will travel to play Hartford on April 29. South Burlington (1-0) will travel to play Harwood at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
BOYS TENNIS
Stowe 7, Rice 0
SOUTH BURLINGTON - Singles victories by Parker Guffey, Max Biedermann, Leo Jercinovic and Carter MacDonald kept the Raiders in cruise control during Friday’s shutout victory over the Green Knights.
Hugo Jercinovic and Drew Zimmerman triumphed at No. 1 doubles for Stowe, which also capitalized on a pair of Rice forfeits. The Raiders (2-1) will host Burlington on April 30 at 3:30 p.m. Rice (0-1) will host Middlebury on May 1 at 3:30 p.m.
