Harwood Roundup: Boys and girls soccer start season with shutout wins

October 3, 2020  |  By Katie Martin

In their first full week of competition, Harwood Union sports produced some glorious victories and close losses. 

Gearing up for their second week with senior nights and home games, please note that due to state public health concerns regarding COVID-19, attendance for games is limited. Each student athlete is allowed to invite spectators who are given tickets. School officials are working with Mad River TV to record as many home matches as possible to be available for the public to view. 

The Sept. 29 Girls Varsity Soccer season opener was recorded and is online now to view on mrvtv.com.

Boys Soccer

Harwood 4, Lamoille 0 

Freshman Sawyer Simmons in the action at his first varsity game against Lamoille Union at home last Wednesday. Photo by Sarah Milligan.

Harwood boys varsity soccer hosted the Lamoille Union Lancers for the first game of the season on Wednesday. 

Starting right out of the gate, the Highlanders got on the scoreboard early with their first goal just two minutes into play. Junior Finn O’Hara passed the ball to teammate senior Gavin Thomsen who netted one. O’Hara scored his own goal off a rebound from Lamoille’s goalie just six minutes later. 

Harwood made quick work of the first half, working together to get two more in before the second half. Senior Sawyer Simmons found the back of the net after teammate Jordan Shullenberger set him up with a pass. The final goal of the game came minutes later from junior Skylar Platt to give Harwood a 4-0 lead and victory. 

Head coach Joe Yalicki said that the focus of his players was to play at a high level all over the field, adding that all the players who get a chance to play have the responsibility to not take any plays off. “We created chances early. Scored a couple of gritty goals and then some prettier goals from good passing and finishing. Defensively, we won the ball back and transitioned to the attack as much as possible,” Yalicki said. 

A standout moment on the soccer pitch was when Harwood’s goaltender, senior Jacob Collier, received a red card when he made a ball tackle outside his goalie box. 

Yalicki said it started when there was a breakdown in the center of the field where Lamoille was able to gain ball possession and bring it to Harwood’s defensive zone. Collier denied an obvious scoring opportunity for Lamoille but was carded. Yalicki said that the card was the correct call to make as Collier was put in a tough position. 

Yalicki said Skylar Platt had a great game, and actually made two saves for the team when he went into Harwood’s goal. Yalicki added that along with his one assist, Platt made many runs from the back and had a great defensive game. 

“Beyond the soccer, the good play, and the win, it was a special feeling to be back at HU, the best field and venue in the area, watching kids put on a show for their families in attendance. I was proud of how we played. The game was the result of lots of hard work from each player and our athletic department. We are all grateful to just play,” said Yalicki. 

Boys soccer will play again on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at home against Thetford.

Harwood senior Hayden Adams keeps the ball away from Lamoille Union. Photo by Sarah Milligan.

Girls Soccer 

Harwood 9, Lamoille 0 

Harwood junior Tanum Nelson scored three and assisted with two goals in Tuesday's 9-0 shutout against Lamoille Union. Photo by Sarah Milligan.

In their season opener on Tuesday

, Harwood girls varsity soccer won in a blowout -- shutting out Lamoille Union at home. 

Heading into the game, head coach Mike Vasseur said that the team was focusing on quick passes and team movement. Overall, Vassuer said the team played as a great cohesive unit and the passing they concentrated on in practice leading up to the match was executed well and effectively. 

Harwood junior standout, Tanum Nelson made quick work to her seasonal point total by adding three goals to the board and assisting two other teammates in theirs. 

Sophomore Lousia Thomsen also earned herself a hat trick for the Highlanders. Rounding out the goal scoring, freshman Quinn Nelson netted two, and Tela Haskell earned herself one with an assist from Nelson. 

Vasseur said one of the highlights of the game for him was Tanum Nelson's assist to her sister Quinn who earned her first varsity goal. 

Looking forward to the next few practices, Vasseur said that the team will work on challenging themselves to move as a team and attack the goal. 

Harwood senior Siena Mazer takes a header off Lamoille Union during the season opener at home last week. Photo by Sarah Milligan.

Harwood 10, Lyndon 0 

On Friday, the girls did it again, earning their second shut-out when they traveled to Lyndonville to take on Lyndon Institute in a game that resulted in a 10-0 victory. 

Lead scorers for the Highlanders included junior Emma Ravelin, who earned herself a hat trick and two assists. Lousia Thomsen followed her with two goals and two assists, and Tanum Nelson scored one goal with two assists.

Freshmen Quinn Nelson and Tessa Jernigan both scored one; junior Kayla Yalicki and sophomore Lyric Smith each notched a goal in for themselves, rounding out the 10-0 win. 

Coach Vasseur added that the team improved on moving the ball well around the field. The girls play next at home on Wednesday, Oct. 7, against Thetford. 

Field Hockey

Harwood 0, Missisquoi 2 

On a cold and rainy Friday afternoon, the Harwood varsity field hockey team hit the road for their first match against Missisquoi Valley Union High School. 

With a soggy warm-up to the game, the weather finally cleared long enough for the game. The close match was long anticipated as the Highlanders lost against Missiquoi last year in the playoffs. 

Starting the game, both teams came out equal, both putting up a fight to get the ball down the field and keeping a consistent, fast pace. After a scoreless first quarter, with both teams warmed up, the rivalry was palpable. 

With 9:18 on the game clock left in the second quarter, Missisquoi scored their first goal against the Highlanders when Natalee Harvey got one past the defense and senior goaltender Kaylee Cameron. The Highlanders got three corners called against them back to back in the second quarter, unable to clear the ball from the circle. The 1-0 lead carried MVU into the third as both teams battled it out with Harwood looking to get on the board and Missisquoi hungry for a second goal. 

Throughout the game, MVU landed a series of yellow cards and one green card for not keeping the mandatory five yards away from Highlanders on a free hit start.* Harwood tried to take advantage of the player down on the field but to no avail. Highlanders themselves got a yellow card for the same later in the game.

With six minutes remaining on the clock for the third quarter, MVU landed their second and final goal from Maddie Chevalier. 

Kaylee Cameron had nine saves for the Highlanders, who play again on Monday at home against Lyndon Institute for their senior day at 4 p.m. 

Head coach Sophie Tretiak said that the team will be working on passing with a purpose and spreading the play out over the field. Tretiak also commented on her seniors who will be celebrated Monday:

“Charlotte Cook, who is a captain this year, is a very skilled field hockey player. She’s a great leader in and off the field. She is dependable, trustworthy, and athletic. She will be missed and we’re excited to celebrate her on senior day.” 

“Kaylee Cameron is a four-year goalkeeper for Harwood field hockey. She is strong in goal and is able to communicate to the rest of the team. She has grown so much and we’re so proud of her” 

“Gwyneth Clough is a very consistent, reliable midfielder. She inserts the ball on our offensive corners and is so steady. We value her dedication to the program.”

* A free hit is when one team draws a foul and the ball is given to the other team. The fouled team then has to give their opponent a five-yard space where they can either dribble, pass, or hit the ball. If an opposing player attacks the ball play before then, or encroaches on her five-yard space before she starts, that is another foul. With enough warnings, it results in a carded penalty. 

Katie Martin is the JV and middle school field hockey coach at Harwood Union High School and a member of the Waterbury Select Board.