Cosmos girls blank Hartford

Springfield midfielder Megan Thomas had not scored a goal all season. But here she was standing over the ball getting ready to take a direct kick in the biggest game of her young life.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20121101/SPORTS02/711019921

Published November 1, 2012 in the Rutland Herald Cosmos girls blank Hartford By POODY WALSH Correspondent SPRINGFIELD — Springfield midfielder Megan Thomas had not scored a goal all season. But here she was standing over the ball getting ready to take a direct kick in the biggest game of her young life. The junior was standing just outside the 18 Wednesday in the first half of a scoreless Division II semifinal against Hartford. “Oh, my , I was so excited,” she would say after the game. Thomas’ shot was over the defensive wall 10 yards away and carried towards the goal where Hartford keeper Heather Illingworth went up, but the ball ticked off her fingers and into the net. Springfield tacked on a second half goal on a penalty shot to win 2-0 and advance to the championship game which will be played Saturday at 10 a.m. in Randolph. The Cosmos, second-seeded at 14-2-1, will take on top-seeded, 14-2, Montpelier. The Solons won their semifinal Wednesday, 3-0, over Mount Abraham. Initally, Thomas thought that Illlingworth had made the save, but then she saw the ball in the goal. “What a way to get your first goal,” she said. “My heart was pounding.” Thomas was given the shot after Illingworth stepped outside the 18 in an attempt to boot the ball. Once she stepped out she was called for a handball. Illingworth’s coach, Jeff Acker, said that he thought Illingworth got confused by the lines on the field. The field at Riverside Middle Schoolwas used after other soccer facilities in town were deemed unplayable. There were yellow lines for the middle schoolers and a white line added for the high school game. The game’s second goal came on a penalty kick with 22:27 left in the second half. A handball inside the 18 game Springfield the free boot and Chelsea McAllister converted on a shot on which Illingworth had no chance as she put it high and inside the post to Illingworth’s right. “They got two flukey goals, but that’s soccer,” said Acker, who felt bad for the six seniors on the team. “It’s a shame. I wish they could have had a better ending.” It was the first Division II loss for the sixth-seeded Hurricanes, who played 10 Division I games during the regular season and ended with a 10-7 mark. Springfield coach Christian Craig thought his team carried the play and credited his defense, led by Kylie Bellows, Abby Garaffa, Amelia Thomas and Keeper Lauren Bolduc, as the key to the win. “They are so focused,” said Craig. “They just anticipate so well and they are so smart.” While the Hurricanes were shut out they had opportunities, particularly during a spell in the second half when there was a span of several minutes where they buzzed around Bolduc, but never found an avenue to score. Mariah Palmer and Zoe Tsongalis both had clear looks at Bolduc, but could not get the ball on goal. Hartford had three corner kicks in the second half, but two of them were kicked in back of the net. In the first half Hartford’s Devon Day was behind the defense, but her shot went right at Bolduc who not only made the save, but didn’t allow a rebound. “We had our chances,” said Acker. Springfield finished with an 8-6 edge in shots. “Gosh, this is a great feeling,” said Craig.