SPORTS: Lady C's Trounce Nipmuc
Led by Sara Walsh (4 goals, 1 assist) and Nicki Wilkinson (4 goals, 2 assists), Groton-Dunstable (2-4) humbled Midland B and 2013 Central Mass champion Nipmuc (3-3-1), 18-6.
Before I could get my pencil and notebook out, Wilkinson had won the first two draws, resulting in Walsh's first goal and a Livy Penney (3 goals, 3 assists) score, a shot that eluded Warrior net minder Katie Friberg.
The third goal was picture book. Wilkinson won the next face-off and immediately broke up field. Penney picked up the loose ball in full stride, passed to Wilkinson who spied Olivia Rubeski in the clear. Rubes finished smartly and GD led 3-0 before the locals had settled into their lawn chairs.
Two more quick scores (Wilkinson, Penney) pushed the Crusader lead to 5-0.
"That's six draws in a row we've lost," grumbled Nipmuc coach Chris Hadfield seconds before Brook Burant, on a nice spin move and shot, squeezed one by GD goalie Maria Antonellis to end the Warriors' scoreless drought.
Affronted by the goal, GD responded with scores from Wilkinson (2), Walsh (3) and Caitlin Berube to lead at the half, 11-1.
Nipmuc broke fast after the break, winning draws and scoring twice despite a strong effort by Antonellis who made an impressive save on a free possession shot.
"We played a good first half but got a little sloppy. Some bad passes and we stopped winning draws," said girls varsity coach Sarah Valacer.
Senior captain Livy Rubeski took a pass from classmate Penney and flipped a shot that beat Friberg to open the advantage to 12-4. GD finished the second half on a tidy 6-2 run.
"Maria (Antonellis) played a very strong game and the defensive effort from Fiona Henry and Sophie Irby was outstanding," said Valacer.
Besides the Walsh and Wilkinson offensive splurge, other point getters were Livy Penney (3 goals, 3 assists) and Maddy Smethurst (3 goals).Warriors' Friberg had 10 saves while Antonellis stopped nine.
The Crusaders opened the season with four straight games against the iron, Algonquin, Shrewsbury, Westford and Westborough. "Tough start but I think our strength of schedule has really made us stronger," stated Valacer.
