Lady Crusaders Stun Oakmont, Auburn; Move On to Central Mass Semi-Finals

Number 12 seed Groton-Dunstable 10-8-2, moved on to MIAA Central Division 2 Girls Soccer semi-finals by defeating No.5 Oakmont (11-4-2) 1-0 in the first round and No.4 Auburn (12-3-5), 1-0 in second overtime of quarter-final game.

  Senior Jen Johnson scored the only goal against Oakmont at 21:20 into the first half with the assist from Brittany Belanger. The Spartans played a scrappy game but with stifling defense, the Crusaders effectively limited their offensive opportunities.

  With less than two minutes remaining, Spartans main offensive threat, Ray Quaye, had a good shot off a corner but her attempt went high over the cross-bar. Game ended with GD controlling play, outshooting Oakmont nine shots to five.

  Against Auburn, Lindsay Werner scored in the first minute of the second overtime with the assist from Dani Kenney.  The goal came off a corner kick taken by Kenney that Werner gathered in and drove into the back of the Rockets' net.

  Once again, it was Kailyn Rekos earning still another shut out. Rekos has yet to allow a goal during the playoffs. 

   It was all Auburn for the first 15 minutes, attacking the GD end and earning three shots on goal. Crusaders had several good scoring opportunities coming with a quick passes but shots went wide of the net.  GD finished last 15 minutes of the half controlling pace of the game and minimizing Auburn's scoring opportunities. Ariana LaCombe almost broke the scoreless tie at the end of first half when she beat the outside defender and ripped a shot which clanged off the goal post.

Second half saw GD turn up pressure on Auburn with long stretches when the ball never left the Auburn half of the field. Shots favored Crusaders six to two after the break but teams were deadlocked 0-0 at the end of regulation.

  Despite a strong effort by the Lady Cs, the teams were still tied after the first OT. And we know the rest of the story!

  GD played in CMass. Division 2 semifinal against No.1 Northbridge at Clinton HS Wednesday at 3 pm. Results unknown at press time.