On Sunday, November 13, the Windham U12 Girls Soccer
team competed against state champions from Vermont, Rhode Island and New
Hampshire for the regional title.
Windham opened the tournament on fire with three
goals, all by Elizabeth Talbot, in the first five minutes of play.
From there, Windham coasted to a 6-0 win over the Vermont State Champion
Nordics from Essex, VT.
The second match, against the Rhode Island State
Champions from Warwick, RI, was an evenly contested tilt between two talented
and determined opponents. After battling to a scoreless tie at the half, Rhode
Island struck in the second half converting a long, pop up, wind assisted, lost
in the sun, wobbler off a corner kick.
It was 1-0 Rhode Island.
With their backs against the wall, the Windham girls
acted on their team rally cry “Now we just play harder!” and dominated play in
the Rhode Island zone. After several minutes of intense pressure, the Rhode
Island defense cracked by pulling down a Windham striker inside the penalty
box. Abbey Thornton converted the penalty kick for a 1-1 tie, which is how the
game ended.
The final match, against the New Hampshire State
Champions from Concord, was the match to determine the tournament title. If
Windham won the game, it would win the tournament. If they lost, then New
Hampshire would win the tournament. And if they tie, then Windham must go cheer
for Vermont to beat or tie Rhode Island, an outcome which would enable Windham
to win the tournament on points. Coaches Dakin and Bell took time between
matches to ensure the team understood the situation and to plot strategy for
the championship matchup.
In another evenly contested match between two very tough
teams, this time with a championship on the line, Windham scored first on a
long hard shot from a steep angle by Abbey Thornton. Windham 1-0 at the half. Early
in the second half, Elizabeth Talbot added a second goal to extend the lead to
2-0. Shortly afterward, Windham coaches
dropped more defenders back to preserve the victory.
With this win, the Windham U12 girls completed the Triple
Crown of the fall season: Falmouth Columbus Day Tournament Champions, State of Maine
Champions, and New England Invitational Champions. The team suffered only one
defeat all season, back in early September, in a scrimmage; and the team
rallied to win from behind in five games this fall. The team players are: Sarah
Bell, Ashley Clarke, Monique Dakin, Kylie Garrison, Morgan Hammond, Elizabeth
Leveque, Rianna Mattox, Elizabeth Talbot, Ali Tetrault, Abbey Thornton and Emma
Tinkham. Coached by Jason Dakin and Matt Bell.
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