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In girls soccer: Craftsbury Academy chalks up big win against UCA

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Craftsbury forward Lizzie Brown takes a moment to recoup after missing a shot late in Saturday's game with United Christian Academy.  Brown had two goals on the afternoon.  Photos by David Dudley
Craftsbury forward Lizzie Brown takes a moment to recoup after missing a shot late in Saturday’s game with United Christian Academy. Brown had two goals on the afternoon. Photos by David Dudley

copyright the Chronicle September, 24, 2014

by David Dudley

CRAFTSBURY — The Craftsbury Academy’s Lady Chargers — fueled by the potent offensive attack of seniors Aleia Augsburger, and Meghan Brown — defeated the United Christian Academy’s (UCA) Lady Crusaders Saturday afternoon, 9-0.

The Crusaders’ goalie, Andreanna “Drew” Andrew, faced a barrage of Charger shots in the first half. After a missed attempt, Augsburger put the Lady Chargers on the board off a feed from sophomore Amy DeLaBruere, making the score 1-0.

Crusader Coach Lynne Limoges knew the game would be a difficult one, but she took it in stride.

“We came into this game with no subs,” Ms. Limoges said. “We played our hearts out, but we just couldn’t get any rest.”

Making matters more challenging, the Chargers controlled the tempo, pushing the ball deep into Crusader territory on what seemed like each possession. The Crusaders fought hard, but the Charger offense was simply too much.

Craftsbury Academy's Aleia Augsburger (left) winds up for a shot.  But United Christian Academy's captain, Moriah Lafoe, (right) steps up to deflect Augsberger's attempt.  Augsberger had three goals.
Craftsbury Academy’s Aleia Augsburger (left) winds up for a shot. But United Christian Academy’s captain, Moriah Lafoe, (right) steps up to deflect Augsberger’s attempt. Augsberger had three goals.

The Chargers scored their second goal of the afternoon when DeLaBruere sent the ball sailing just beyond Drew’s reach. Brown was waiting in the box, where she tipped the ball in, to give the Chargers a 2-0 lead.

In response to the aggressive Chargers attack, the Crusaders beefed up their presence in front of the goal.   This was meant to block the Chargers’ shooting lanes, but it had a different effect.

As Augsburger drove down the middle, Andrew called out to her teammates:

“Guys, I can’t see,” she said repeatedly, as Augsburger kicked the ball high and center. The ball flew over Andrew’s head, and into the back of the net to put the Chargers up 3-0.

The Chargers took a commanding 4-0 lead, as Brown scored her second goal of the afternoon, assisted by freshman Mackenzie Blaney.

“Everyone worked together,” Chargers Coach Casey McGill said after the game. “This is a really cohesive unit. Everybody knows what they need to do.”

Augsburger, DeLaBruere, and eighth-grader Lizzie Brown spent much of the first half crowding the Crusaders’ net. Brown scored another goal for the Chargers, as the ball ricocheted off a defender, then banked off the goalpost to push the Chargers’ lead to 5-0.

The Chargers took a 6-0 lead, as Emily Smyth set up Meghan Brown for the hat trick, just before the break.

The Lady Crusaders began the second half ready to play. Their energy level was up, but the Chargers’ momentum was too much. Augsburger scored her third goal of the game, as she blasted a shot from long range into the far left side of the net, giving the Chargers a 7-0 lead.

Still, the Crusaders defense stepped it up, and the offense came on more aggressively. The Crusaders took the ball deep into Charger territory only to be denied.

The Chargers went up 8-0 as Lizzie Brown scored her second goal of the game.

Mackenzie Blaney earned her second assist, as she set up Smyth for the Chargers’ final goal of the afternoon.

United Christian Academy's goalie Andreanna “Drew” Andrew digs deep to make this save late in the second half of Saturday's game at Craftsbury Academy.  Also pictured is Kelee Prince, at right.
United Christian Academy’s goalie Andreanna “Drew” Andrew digs deep to make this save late in the second half of Saturday’s game at Craftsbury Academy. Also pictured is Kelee Prince, at right.

Toward the end of the game, DeLaBruere and Crusaders’ defender Moriah Lafoe — who both played for the Lady Crusaders last year — found themselves at an impasse on the sideline. DeLaBruere was trying to send the ball to her teammates, but couldn’t quite get past Lafoe, who played sticky defense throughout the match.   Each time DeLaBruere shifted directions, she was met by Lafoe. Though it was the most competitive moment in the game, Lafoe and DeLaBruere smiled. The former teammates were clearly having fun, in spite of the tough game they had played. DeLaBruere finally sent a pass into the backfield, as the clock ticked off the final minutes of the match.

In the end, Andrew stopped 14 shots. Chargers goalies Paige Coolbeth and Aysha Hodgdon blocked a combined five shots, to earn the shut-out for the Chargers.

The Crusaders fell to 0-4-1, for the season.

The Chargers are now 4-1. They visit Chelsea, Friday, September 26, at 4:30 p.m.

contact David Dudley at [email protected]

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