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NSSA SOCCER May 3 & 4
The nine Nantucket Student Soccer Association spring travel teams cannot catch a break so far this season. Each weekend of scheduled games has seen rain, low temperatures and generally miserable conditions. This past weekend was no different, when 11 games were on tap.
First up on a wet, uneven, high grassy field was the U11 girls team playing at Mariner. Both teams were tentative the first five minutes, until Nantucket broke the ice when Claire MacKay scored unassisted after threading through the defense, continued its pattern of scoring first within five minutes in every game the past two years and so far this season. Two minutes later Olivia Slade snaked her own corner kick into the far corner. Kate Daniels then took a feed from Slade at midfield, split the defense and placed a precision shot past the diving keeper to put Nantucket up 3-0 a few minutes later. Mariner scored with a minute to go in the half down 3-1.
Haley Kinnerson scored her first goal of the season two minutes into the half on an assist by Daniels, and scored again two minutes later assisted by Margaret Troast and Daniels. Daniels scored her third hat trick in as many games a few minutes later.
Defensive anchor Kelli Molloy switched up to midfield and promptly scored twice along with MacKay who added her second. With the offensive players switched to defense and vice versa, Mariner was able to get in and send a perfect lofting shot over keeper Renee Perkins' head. Nantucket's defense held strong all day, lead by Molloy, Evelyn Hudson, Nicole Gottlieb and Emma Murphy. Though Perkins was called upon for only one quality save in the first half she was challenged in the second and had twelve solid saves in the 9-2 triumph.
The undefeated U13 boys, who have romped through their division wracking up 28 goals to opponents' three, took another win 6-2 from Westport at home. Four different players scored: Chris Sylvia (2), Conrad Troast, Dana Sundell and Ben Daniels.
Also seeing action on Saturday was the U11 boys team who traveled to Dartmouth, losing 7-1. Nantucket's goal was courtesy of Noah Wing and assisted assisted by Ben Zieff.
After opening up with a win at home, the first year U9 girls team made their first trip off island, only to loose to a powerful Barnstable team 7-0.
On Sunday, the U13 girls made the trek to Oceana on the Cape. The soaking, heavy rain played a part in the play of the game causing puddles to form on the field. After Alexa Crosby netted the first goal 10 minutes in, it looked like Nantucket was about to get their second goal. However, the ball rolled to an abrupt stop just short of the goal line due to the soggy conditions. Play went back and forth for the rest of the half with no further scoring to leave Nantucket with the 1-0 lead at the break.
After Oceana tied the score, Hannah Pykosz answered with the slick ball slipping through the keeper's hands and feet. Oceana proceeded to tie it up again and then pulled ahead. Sabrina Dawson leftfooted a shot to knot it up 3-3 to end the game.
The boys U9 Team 1 remained the only undefeated team in its division, taking both games. Andrew Dawson started the scoring off against Sandwich Team 2. Sam Rand added a second and Chris Muhr was involved with the winning goal which was actually an "own goal" off Sandwich in the second half for the 3-2 victory.
The team then played Falmouth Team 3 after a few minutes' break and shut them out 3-0. Dawson again opened the scoring and Rand got involved with the next two, which ultimately ended up being own goals by Falmouth.
The boys U9 Team 2 was not as successful but played well. After dropping the first game to Sandwich Team 2 6-0, the team faced Falmouth Team 3. Simon Johnson scored the only Nantucket goal in the 4-1 defeat.
The U10 boys team had a tough game against a rough visiting Mariner team, dropping the match 7-1. Ethan Wing tallied Nantucket's only goal in the second half.
The most exciting game of the day belonged to the U15 boys who hosted Mashpee before a large Nantucket partisan crowd. First half keeper Colin Kohler was put to the test right off the opening kick and had to make two quick saves. Nantucket's first shot on goal occurred nine minutes in when a Henry Fee laser skimmed just over the crossbar. Mashpee netted twice to go up 2-0 at the half.
With less than five minutes to go, Luke Daniels snagged a goal kick near midfield and drove down the left sideline keeping the attacking defensive players off the ball, then turned and hugged the end line advancing towards the net, ending with a perfect curving shot just past the near post and into the far corner to inch Nantucket closer.
With under two minutes to play, Caio Gomes barreled down the center of the field and tied the game. Emil Bender had two more chances at the net off the face off only to have the ball bang off the crossbar and then punched out as the whistle blew a minute later with Nantucket on the attack again with the game even
at 2-2. I
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