LAMOILLE – The Lamoille Lancers used a big second half to drop the Hazen Union boys’ soccer team in both teams’ season opener last week.
Charlie Kells scored two goals to power Lamoille to a 4-0 home win over the Wildcats last Friday. Both teams played 43 minutes of scoreless soccer before Kells broke free to score the eventual game-winner.
“We played a good first half and the team did well out of possession. When we recovered the ball, we did a good job in our defensive third and neutral third, stringing passes together, but lacked composure to break into their penalty box to create any quality scoring chances. Our goalkeeper Grayson McNaughten came up with a huge double save in the first half to keep the game level,” said head coach Harry Besett.
Kells converted a penalty kick to make it 2-0 minutes later and Lucian Padulo and Sam Rossi would put the game away soon after with goals of their own. Padulo added a pair of assists on the day and Rossi assisted on Kell’s first goal. Lamoille 1-0 will host BFA-Fairfax next on Wednesday.
“At halftime we wanted to come out and push to be more offensive, but fatigue and lack of depth ultimately hurt us. We were missing three players and only had three subs to rotate through. After Lamoille broke through first, we kept fighting until giving up the penalty. Our play was deflated after that,” said Besett.
Besett won Mountain League Coach of the Year last season after leading a young Lady Cat team to a home playoff berth and hopes to have the same success with an equally young Hazen boys’ team in his first season on the sidelines.
“We played okay for small spells, but ultimately would concede two more goals in the closing minutes of the second half. Despite the score line, Lamoille’s athletic trainer and former trainer at Hazen, Vinny Faraci, came over to express how impressive the boys’ performance was, highlighting their tactical discipline in the first half and patience when in possession. Hard work this week will hopefully prove fruitful in what is expected to be a competitive match against Lyndon,” said Besett.
The Wildcats are scheduled to travel to Lyndon Institute on Saturday for an 11 a,m. start time. They stay on the road for a match-up against Blue Mountain next Tuesday.
