The season opener was at Middlebury where the final result was 2-0. Juniors Ariel Goodman and Paige Cleary each scored for the Highlanders while senior McColl Harvey made five saves in the shutout.
Opening up at home on September 4 in Duxbury, the girls found the same result but added another goal for a 3-0 shutout win over St. Johnsbury. Senior Mariah Liberty led the scoring with two goals and junior Celia Cadwell added another assisted by Ariel Goodman. Sophomore Laura Bataille and freshman Liza Mackey each tallied an assist for their first varsity points. Junior goalkeeper Taylor Burdett recorded five saves in the win. The Highlanders dominated the match with an edge of 21-5 in shots on goal.
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The week wrapped up with another decisive 3-0 win over league opponent Spaulding on Saturday. Senior Kelsey Lacroix scored two first-half goals just three minutes apart to set the pace early in this one. Celia Cadwell picked up an assist. Mariah Liberty notched an insurance goal and her third of the season midway through the second half. Taylor Burdett picked up the shutout win in goal making just six saves.
The lady Highlanders continue their schedule this week against Woodstock on Wednesday and at Lyndon on Friday. For a look at their upcoming schedule, check out Harwood.org.
The Harwood junior varsity got their season going with a bang this past week by defeating Middlebury 3-1 on Tuesday and St. Johnsbury 7-1 on Thursday.
In their opening match away versus Middlebury, Hannah Ferenc got on the board with a goal and Naomi Koliba scored twice and also tallied an assist. Assisting on the remaining goals were Nina Yandow and Caitlin Touchette. Ashley Pitrowiski earned three saves in the win.
On Thursday, playing before a big crowd, Harwood gave up an own goal early in the match under heavy St. Johnsbury pressure but rallied with seven unanswered goals to walk away with the win. Six players found the back of the net, showing a good offensive balance. Naomi Koliba scored twice with goals also coming from Hannah Woodruff, Dana Litchfield, Ashlyn Raymond, Anna Hoffman and Meghan Audet. Assists came from Audet (two), Raymond and Hoffman. Ashley Pitrowiski had another solid showing with three saves for the win.
The final match of the week versus Division 1 school Spaulding on Saturday was an exciting defensive battle which ended in a 3-2 loss for Harwood (2-1). Pitrowiski again came up big, making a total of nine saves and in the process stopping three penalty kicks. Sophomore captain Megan Raymond converted a penalty kick and Koliba scoring on a brilliant through ball from Caitlin Touchette for Harwood's two scores.
