Bulldogs Make Second Half Count

It was a good day for soccer. The sun was out, the birds were chirping and the Bulldogs were gearing up for an away game against Brattleboro. The ‘Dawgs’ started off flat, sniffing around for some opportunities that unfortunately for the Bulldogs turned into soft ground balls for the Brattleboro goalkeeper. About twenty minutes deep into the first half though, Casey “the Communicator” Vogel was able to get the ball to Mia “Sure dude” Sherwood who smartly placed it into the back of the net, low and away, for a 1-0 lead. About ten minutes later, Laurel “Shake her” Baker crossed the ball for the oncoming Brielle “Doctor” Proctor who took a touch and then finished it off for a 2-0 lead. And that is how we went into the half.

The players were aware that they had yet to play their best, and a fiery speech by their captain Alexa “Poised under pressure” Witkin was the motivating factor for what was about to unfold in the second half. The Bulldogs put the game away with four quick goals and quietly closed out the game. “Shaker” Baker contributed with a central twenty-yard shot, low and away. The keeper didn't stand a chance. That’s Baker’s second goal of the season, but the first that actually counts. It is those low shots that really confuble the opposing goalkeepers. Halyn “On-fire” Mcintyre contributed with a breakaway and finished with a blistering high shot in the top left corner of the goal that the keeper just could not get to. It’s important to note that the Brattleboro goalkeeper made a lot of great saves on the day and stood tall in the face of a formidable opponent. Kudos to the keeper. Livia “Track star” Barclay worked with Proctor all day and caused much consternation for the Brattleboro defense, what with all her speed and technical expertise. Goalkeeper Hannah “”No flee” Troumbley had a few nice saves and made sure the backline was well organized.

But without a doubt, the top two goals of the day deserve a place in this recap. “Sure dude” found Hannah “No fear” Cyr down the right side of the field and just outside the penalty box. “No fear” cut back to her left and drove the ball across the edge of the penalty box to Mcintyre who had a solid connection with a side volley for a fifteen-yard line drive into the back of the net. McIntyre's effort was the individual play of the day. But the group “play of the game” came a few minutes later with a twenty five-yard pass from center-back Sherwood out to the right flank for Lucy “Excel” Farrell. “Excel” found Tully “the trimming” Trimmer in the box who laid it back off to Farrell who finally knocked a thirty yard angled shot into the side of the net. The runs off the ball and the combinations that preceded that goal represented a team coming together. Outside back Lily “No Goal” Cole could be found battling her opponents all day along the touchline. Center-back Graciana “I care” Maier lead the defense in shutting down their Brattleboro opponents. Delana “Shrewd” Underwood did a fine job supporting the attack from the backline and all three backs assisted in keeping the ball in the attacking half all day long. There was some strong play by Brattleboro and some talented players that are sure to give the Bulldogs a difficult time in the years to come, but the day belonged to the Dawgs. Three dogs who wandered off the property were Nicole Makson, Brooke Weber, and Caption Addison Kujovsky. Animal control experts have been dispatched and those three dogs should be back for the next game, which is against SMS UNDER THE LIGHTS at Applejack - 7pm. In total, a good day for the Bulldogs and they should officially consider their Effort Honored.