CRAFTSBURY – The Hazen Union girls’ soccer team pitched a pair of shutouts against Caledonia United and Blue Mountain last week to run their record to 6-1-1 on the season.
Julia des Groseilliers scored the game-winner on a thundering direct kick to power the Lady Cats to a 1-0 win over Twinfield-Cabot-Danville (CCSU) last Wednesday at Dustan Field in Craftsbury. The junior center back found the back of the net for the only score of the match with seven minutes left in the first half.
Sophomore Kelsie Rivard (six saves) and the Lady Cat defense did the rest, earning their fourth consecutive shutout. Since a 1-0 loss to division III Vergennes to open the season, Hazen and their first-year head coach Jay Terrien are on a seven-game unbeaten streak, outscoring their opponents 23-6 along the way. Ida Astick made 13 stops in the loss, as Cal United (4-3-1) suffered their first loss in six matches.
Craftsbury Academy and Dustan Field hosted both Hazen Union varsity girls’ and boys’ matches last week for the first time since both schools agreed to an athletic cooperative this past summer.
Senior midfielder Natalie Michaud scored a goal and assisted on two others to lead Hazen to a 6-0 road win over Blue Mountain on Saturday afternoon. Lady Cat leading scorer Isabelle Gouin continued to tear up the back of opponent’s nets, scoring her third hat trick of the season, along with an assist in the win. The junior co-captain already has a career-high 12 goals this fall in just eight matches. Freshman Ursa Goldenrose made it 3-0 visitors midway through the first half, beating her defender in the box and finishing a great solo effort near post. Junior midfieldder Ella Renaud also got on the scoresheet, scoring her first goal of the season, as well as teaming up with sophomore teammate Kelsie Rivard in net to preserve the shutout. Fellow sophomore Mya Lumsden continued her strong play with a pair of assists in the second half.
Blue Mountain fell to 0-8 on the season.
“Natalie’s strong play in the first half helped propel us in this one,” said Terrien. “Isabelle fed Natalie on our first score and Isabelle finished off a great pass from Natalie to put us up two. Ella also converted, sprinting toward the goalmouth and beating the keeper on a great ball played behind the defense from Natalie,”
The Lady Cats unbeaten streak has vaulted them up to the third spot in the current Division IV standings. Rivendell Academy and West Rutland remain atop of the division with a combined record of 15-0.
Hazen travels to Danville on Thursday for a tough rematch with Cal United and will stay on the road next Monday for a match-up with Paine Mountain.
