The Vermont girls dominated the first half of this year’s Lions Twin State Soccer Cup, but the New Hampshire girls were even more dominant after halftime.
Four second-half goals erased a two-goal deficit and handed New Hampshire a 4-2 victory Saturday at Franklin Pierce University. Pinkerton Academy’s Stephanie Sayward scored twice for New Hampshire, which extended its advantage in the series to 16-7-4.
“They took advantage of our midfield in the second half,” Vermont coach Pat Pullinen (Black River) said.
After Hollis-Brookline’s Lauren Tamposi got New Hampshire on the scoreboard 12 minutes into the second half, Sayward tied the contest with 16:45 remaining. Sayward’s second goal gave New Hampshire a 3-2 lead with 8:35 to play, and Manchester Central’s Keily Funk capped the scoring with 5:45 left.
Natalie LeClair (Essex) scored both Vermont goals. She opened the scoring 1:40 into the contest, and scored again with 5:30 left in the first half. LeClair will begin her collegiate soccer career at the University of Richmond in the fall.
“It wasn’t a great first half, but after that we calmed down and played like we know how to play,” New Hampshire’s Krista Johnstone (Dover) said.
Boys Soccer: Vermont Tops New Hampshire
A late goal from Manchester Memorial’s Christian Rodriguez was the offensive highlight for New Hampshire, which dropped a 3-1 decision to Vermont in the other half of the Lions Twin State Soccer Cup at Franklin Pierce University.
New Hampshire leads the series 15-8-4, but has won once in the last seven games. Vermont won the 2008 game, 3-0.
Trevor Kotrady (Mill River) and Ethan Martin (South Burlington) scored first-half goals for Vermont, which grabbed a 3-0 lead when Rob Cole (South Burlington) scored 2:48 into the second half.
Before the game it was announced that the Lions Twin State Soccer Cup will be held at Castleton State College’s Spartan Stadium in 2010 and 2011.
Football: Drouin Takes Charge At Sanborn
Michael Drouin has been selected to replace Vincent Pettis as the varsity football coach at Sanborn High School.
Drouin spent the last two seasons as the head coach at North Shore Technical High School in Middleton, Mass.
North Shore Tech finished 0-11 in 2008, but posted a 9-3 record last season.
"I felt good about where I brought that team in a short amount of time," Drouin said. "I had no intention of leaving, but when the Sanborn job opened up it was a chance to coach a new program, at a new school. I thought about all the potential that was there."
Sanborn finished 1-8 in Division IV last season, its first-year at the varsity level since the school revived its football program. Drouin said he also applied for the Sanborn job in 2006, when the school began two years of sub-varsity competition.
Drouin, 39, played at Methuen (Mass.) High School. He also served as an assistant coach at Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Mass., and at Methuen before he accepted the varsity job at North Shore Tech. Drouin said Sanborn will transition from a Wing-T offense to the Spread this season.
"We'll try to add a little more passing to the offense," Drouin said.