WELLS RIVER – The Caledonia United boys soccer team secured the program’s first ever undefeated regular season (14-0) under head coach Peter Stratman last week with lopsided victories over Blue Mountain and BFA-Fairfax.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
Sam McLane scored a hat-trick, and fellow senior teammate Eli Russell added two more scores to lead Cal United to a decisive 8-0 road win over the Bucks last Tuesday. Jola Otten and Judah Klarich added a goal apiece for Cal United, who swept the season series, outscoring Blue Mountain 20-0 in their two matches combined. McLane finished off a triumphant return from a devastating season-ending injury late last fall, finding the back of the net 25 times in what has been a sensational senior campaign. Josh Petersen recorded three saves to earn the shutout. Brody Scott turned away eight shots in the loss for the Bucks.
“We have eight talented seniors on this team. We’re fortunate to have an experienced team that plays with chemistry, and that’s tough to beat. Blue Mountain is young, and they played with effort, never giving up. Our younger guys got some valuable minutes in the match. One of my favorite parts of coaching is watching players grow over time and start to apply the style of play we focus on in training,” said Stratman.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
Stratman’s club celebrated Senior Night in style on Friday, dispatching BFA-Fairfax at home 6-0 to put the cherry on top of a perfect regular season. Russell led the way for Cal United with three more goals, giving the 2024 Vermont All-State selection 28 on the season. Jola Otten scored two more goals, giving him a career-high 13 this season. Ben Monaco finished off the scoring on the day with a goal of his own. Mason Sanders made 13 saves in the loss for the Bullets. Senior Josh Petersen recorded one save to earn a program record ninth shutout of the season. Russell, McLane, Petersen, Otten and Monaco joined fellow seniors Alijah Andrews, Sean Lehoe and Samson Kitonga in being honored after the match for their outstanding high school careers on the pitch.
“BFA started the match in a low block to try and limit our ability to attack. It was a good strategy, but it takes significant coordination to be able to pull it off. They relaxed it a bit in the second half but didn’t mount many serious attacks. In the end, it was a solid result and a great tune-up for the playoffs,” said Stratman.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
Cal United has been truly dominant this season, outscoring their opponents 86-8 along the way. What’s even more unbelievable is that they will not be the top seed heading into the Division IV state tournament this week. That honor will go to 14-0 Twin Valley by mere percentage points. This will be the third straight year the Wildcats have secured the #1 seed, losing to Winooski in the championship match in back-to-back seasons. A trip to the championship match is one of the last things missing on Stratman’s distinguished coaching resume, and if the stars align, the two Division IV heavy weights will meet in Rutland early next month to decide the title.
Cal United will receive a bye through the first round and play the winner of the Proctor/Richford matchup on Saturday in the quarterfinal round in Danville. If they advance, Cal United would also be at home for the semifinals next Wednesday, with a trip to the division IV state championship on the line.
