MORRISVILLE – Junior striker Isabelle Gouin found her scoring touch in the second week of the season, scoring four goals to lead the Hazen Union girls’ soccer team to victories over Peoples Academy (PA) and Winooski, improving to 2-1 on the season.
Hazen Union senior Baylie Christensen (left) controls the ball before it reaches Emma Schaffer (right) of Peoples Academy during play, September 9, at P.A. Hazen edged by P.A. 2-1.
Gouin and sophomore midfielder Taylor Thompson each found the back of the net to propel the Lady Cats to a hard-fought 2-1 road win over cross-town rival PA last Monday. Gouin beat PA keeper Sophie LaRock on a perfect through-ball from senior Natalie Michaud to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage early in the first half. Acacia Baronette found the equalizer off a rebound moments later as both teams went into the break knotted at 1-1. Julia des Groseilliers assisted Thompson on the game-winner 10 minutes into the second half and sophomore Kelsie Rivard earned her first win of the season in net, with Brianna Holbrook, Autumn Dailey, and Craftsbury Academy’s (CA) Adelina Augsberger anchoring the defensive line. It was the first win of the Jay Terrien era at Hazen and the program’s first win over PA in over two decades. The Lady Wolves were coming off impressive wins over Lyndon Institute and Lake Region but fell to 2-4 on the season.
“My players and I collaborate in scouting reports of the opposition in an effort to put out the smartest tactical personnel that will win that particular game. In the first five minutes of the match, we shifted three different players out of our starting positions to get the match-ups and overloads we were looking for. Those tactical moves led directly to Isabelle’s opening goal. This group of young ballers battle for each other and step up through whatever changes are required to win a big match like this one,” said Terrien.
Craftsbury ninth grade students Linsey Allen (left) and Ada Allen (right) are all smiles after their Hazen Union team win 2-1 against Peoples Academy, September 9.
Gouin scored two more times in the opening half at Winooski and added a second half goal to complete the hat-trick as Hazen earned another impressive 3-1 road win over the Lady Spartans on Saturday. Gouin put the Lady Cats up early, finishing a perfect corner kick from des Groseilliers, and gave the visitors a two-goal cushion heading into the break, finishing a quality pass from sophomore Mya Lumsden. Rivard fed the junior co-captain early in the second half to put the match out of reach and junior Ella Renaud earned the win in net with defensive captain Bria Holbrook holding the line once again. Winooski suffered its first loss after outscoring Richford and Sharon Academy 8-1 to start their season.
Hazen’s Natalie Michaud (center) gets sandwiched between Peoples Academy players Ella Bliss (left) and Mariana Moore (right) during action at P.A. September 9. Hazen won 2-1.
“My coaching mentor and best mate Stewart Flaherty was in town this past week, which allowed him to teach and inspire both of our young goalkeepers. He’s the former head coach at Bates and assistant at Dartmouth, as well as a NISA champion, coaching the Michigan Stars to an unprecedented championship trophy. His knowledge as a sports psychologist and goalkeeper coach is invaluable, and both Kelsie and Ella were outstanding this week in helping earn our first wins of the season,” said Terrien.
The Lady Cats welcomed Enosburg to town on Tuesday, traveled to Richford on Thursday, and will host Blue Mountain on Saturday morning for Homecoming Weekend. Kick-off is scheduled for 11 a.m.
