Girls Soccer

A beautiful day for the beautiful game found the visiting Lions nearly open up the scoring in the first minute when Stella S crushed a powerful shot on net and Bella D pounced on the rebound but put her shot just wide of the frame. Both teams were moving the ball crisply, and the hosts got the first tally with a strong outside shot that just curled under the crossbar. A scramble in the box off a corner was the source of a goal that doubled the lead before 6th former Laura L was able to bring Kent back within one with a slotted finish from close range. The match continued similarly with an ebb and flow from both teams, but the Saints consistently buried their chances while the Lions did not. On the outside, Captain Mcgill K had an outstanding game with a half dozen dangerous shots and smart playmaking all afternoon.

With hurricane rains looming the day remained dry, and the Lions played spirited beautiful soccer for all but the last 15 minutes against Berkshire. Knowing what they were facing, the team was ready and played with purpose and patience, finding feet offensively and staying grounded as the Berkshire playmakers made threatening runs and dangerous forays into the final third. Megan D was outstanding in thwarting our opponents and Mia M was terrific in making saves and distributing effectively to her teammates. But for one bad giveaway in the defensive end that led to the only goal, the Lions played a terrific first half. In the second Kent continued to play strong possession with Bella D, Casey B, Celeste L and Mia E all combining to make effective runs down the right flank. Unfortunately, the team's legs got a bit tired as the game wore down and a second goal quickly led to others and a final score line that was again not fully reflective of the flow of the game.

Struggling to get their legs after the bus ride, the Lions were on their heels most of the first half. The Wyverns peppered the cage but fortunately Mia M and the crossbar were terrific in keeping all but three of the KO shots at bay. A high point for a difficult first held was Violet Q exploding down the wing and powering a low shot into the back of the net. Fortunately, the second half efforts were far superior for the visitors as Bella D and Casey B dominated the right flank earning a number of corners that were threatening though unsuccessful. Arden M stepped up to do a great job defending the entire second half.

On a humid day in Easthampton, the Lions squared off on Williston's turf with both teams fired up for a W. The home team's back line was tough and fast and prevented Eva M from finding success on through balls in the first half, while the Lion defenders absorbed a lot of pressure and aggressive play by the hosts. Keeper Mia M made a pair of terrific saves and was solid throughout. Midway through the first Celeste L nearly scored on a header off a corner but her bid was just wide of the net. Unfortunately, with two minutes to go in the half a Williston midfielder was given a bit too much space to operate and she sent a rocket into the back of the net. The second half found improved ball movement by the Lions as Mcgill K, Stella S and Celeste L combined effectively with Louise R and Bella D on the wings to generate more possession. The best chance of the half was a breakaway by Eva M but she was well challenged by the defender and her near post shot was saved by the keeper. A scramble in front of the cage off a corner was the source of Williston's second tally and the final score.

With a supportive Family Weekend crowd and an aggressive realignment looking to generate more offense, the Lions got off to a great start. In the first twenty minutes the home team controlled the play and earned a trio of corners well served by Stella S. Mcgill K had a pair of long range shots that had chances but were just wide of the frame. Eva M had a great chance on a through ball but a late challenge by the Rhino defender forced her shot wide of the net. As is so often in competition, the dynamics of the game changed completely with a goal against the flow. Afterwards, the second twenty minutes were a complete reversal of the opening salvo as the hosts were on their heels and struggled to keep possession. With injury removing some team leaders and forcing some repositioning, our midfield struggled to mark their dynamic playmakers and three goals were scored. Hope for a resurgence in the second half was quickly stifled as a Taft striker burst through the midfield and defense to score an early lead padding goal in the first few minutes. While clearly frustrated, the Lions worked hard to the end most notably Mack S, Casey B and Bella D whose boundless energy and positive mindset were appreciated.