2 weeks Ago
BUCKFIELD — In the blink of an eye, Buckfield built a lead and didn’t look back in a 5-1 girls soccer victory over Richmond on Thursday. Brittany Carrier had a natural hat trick — three consecutive goals — for the Bucks (5-0) in the first half. She said it was important for Buckfield to start fast against the Bobcats (2-2).
“Well, we knew Richmond was going to come really hard, and we wanted to really showcase ourselves and really come out really strong,” Carrier said. “So, we started the game really strong ..
. Chloee Bennett had a breakaway, and we just kept the energy up.” Bennett opened the scoring two minutes into the game when she chipped the ball over the Richmond goalie for a 1-0 lead.
Buckfield coach Annette Caldwell said the rest of the Bucks followed Bennett’s lead. “Chloee likes to say she’s ‘jacked up,'” Caldwell said. “So, she’s got a lot of energy.
Our team thrives with each other’s energy. It helps build that camaraderie with each other and feeling like that wasn’t always just Chloe’s goal, that was the whole team’s goal. We really feel that.
We feel lucky and fortunate to have the leadership that we have, with having 10 seniors on this team, and the support from our juniors and underclassmen.” Carrier scored a minute later for a 2-0 Buckfield lead. Richmond (2-2) coach Randy Hinkley was impressed by Carrier.
“No. 3 on their team is just an unbelievable athlete, and any shot outside that 18(-yard box), just look out,” Hinkley said. Carrier added goals in the seventh minute and in the 15th minute to make it a 4-0 advantage.
“Just trying to keep my head up and take my time on my shots,” Carrier said. The Bucks kept the ball on their offensive side of the field for most of the first half. Part of the reason for that, Caldwell said, is that Buckfield’s defense has been “amazing” so far this season.
“I think that our team has grown through the season to be able to possess and play the possession game. We’ve improved our midfield play, and that’s helped keep the ball on the opponent’s side more,” Caldwell said. She singled out the defensive efforts of Cori Merrill, Kai Trenowth, Cora Brewster, Alyssa Breton, Amelia Hill, Kallista Stearns and Sophie St.
Pierre. The Bobcats flipped the field for the final four minutes of the opening half and created a few scoring opportunities, but Ella Briand’s shot hit the crossbar and Aubrey Swift’s went wide of the far post. Hinkley said he liked the fortitude and fight of Richmond to keep pressing and find holes in Buckfield’s defense to get shots off.
“My team, luckily, we have a lot of good, strong feet, and we realize that their defense is tough,” Hinkley said. “So we had to take our shots from deep.” Buckfield’s fifth and final goal was scored when Brewster’s low shot beat Richmond goalie Autumn Lane nearly eight minutes into the second half.
Richmond spoiled Kianna Finnegan’s shutout bid when Brooke Fournier scored at the final buzzer. “She had a nice shot on a rebounded block from the goalie,” Hinkley said, “and it was a great shot.” We invite you to add your comments.
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