At 2:30 PM on October 29, the NVU-Lyndon women’s soccer team began their final game of the 2019 season. They were joined by the University of Maine – Farmington for a North Atlantic Conference match. The visiting Beavers took the win with an end score of 0-8 after a grueling ninety minutes.
The Beavers and Hornets immediately took to the field with hearts full of passion. The defensive and offensive showing from both teams was startling with all of the athletes staying agile on their feet. However, it was Farmington that scored the first point in the first several minutes as Mckenna Brodeur (18) rebounded the ball over Lyndon goalie Victoria McCormack (1) after she dove for another ball.
She was followed by a lucky shot from Beaver Haley Fletcher (13) who took advantage of a crowd of athletes in front of the goal cage. As Beavers fired shots, McCormack and Lyndon defenders deflected them back into play, but Fletcher was able to sneak one by the Hornets in the chaos.
In the second half, Fletcher was able to sneak another ball just over McCormack’s fingers after ten minutes of play. She was followed up by Beaver Emily Larochelle (8) who scored two more goals in the span of a couple minutes. Finally, Fletcher and Brodeur were able to score one more time each before the final seconds of the game.
As the clock counted down, Farmington crashed Lyndon’s net. Athletes from both sides were vigorously kicking the ball, desperate to score or prevent the final point until the buzzer sounded. However, with just over twenty seconds remaining, the ball wound up in the goal, finishing the game with an 8-0 score in favor of the visiting Beavers.
McCormack ended up saving nine other goals from making it onto the scoreboard. Lyndon’s defense also worked to prevent McCormack from seeing sixteen other balls. The defense also worked together to force the Farmington Beavers offsides at numerous points throughout the game, making it harder for them to move up the field.
The NVU-Lyndon women’s soccer team ends their season with a 1-13 record, landing themselves in eighth place in the North Atlantic Conference standings. The Hornets hope to return fifteen young team members next year with some freshman additions. We look forward to the 2020 soccer season!
Featured Photo: Lyndon senior Jessica Hilman (8) sprints up the field while dribbling the ball during her last game as a Hornet. || Photo by Alexandra Huff