Tough Stretch for Lady Cats in Challenging Schedule
Danville’s Vanessa Foster (No. 24) and Hazen’s Aster Watkevich (No. 13) reach the ball at the same time during action on Hudson Field September 17. Danville won 1-0.
by Ken Brown
MORRISVILLE – The Hazen Union girls’ soccer team are navigating through a rugged part of their schedule as they were shutout by Peoples Academy and Danville last week to fall to 1-4 on the season.
Peoples Academy blanked the Lady Cats 7-0 at home last Monday to post their third straight shutout of the season. The perennial Division III power improved to 4-1 on the season with the win.
Elizah Abetti buried a feed from Dai-Li Huang for the game-winner as Danville edged Hazen 1-0 on the road over the weekend. The two teams battled through a scoreless first half, with the Lady Cats missing on a golden opportunity to take the early advantage.
“Our aggressive play in the middle of the field was rewarded with a penalty kick, but unfortunately we just missed over the crossbar and it kind of set the tone for the rest of the match,” said head coach Harry Besett.
Hazen Union freshman Isabelle Gouin (No. 16) races for the ball ahead of Danville’s Elizah Abetti (No. 19) during Saturday’s game on Hudson Field. Danville edged by Hazen 1-0.
Elizah’s game-winner pushed the Lady Bears’ record to 3-2 on the season. Hazen Union’s young offense continues to put pressure on opposing goal keepers as Leah Klark made 13 stops on the day to record the shutout. Ella Renaud made 10 saves for the Lady Cats in the loss.
“Danville started with more intensity in the second half and through grit and determination forced the ball into the net after a scramble in the box. We tried to claw back and made a hard push in the last ten minutes, but couldn’t find the equalizer,” said Besett.
Hazen Union travelled to take on a stout Enosburg team on Tuesday and will host Oxbow on Saturday for Homecoming Weekend.
