Kathan’s hat trick too much for Lady Chiefs

By Greg Hart
Telegraph sports editor

Ludlow — Black River erupted for three goals in about 90 seconds, and that proved to be a decisive minute and a half as the Lady Presidents defeated Green Mountain’s varsity girls with a final score of 5-2 in Friday night’s action.

Freshman GM goalie Emily Castillo before Friday night’s game./Photo by Greg Hart

Dorsey Park in Ludlow is always a great venue in a town that loves its soccer. A sizable crowd gathered to watch the neighboring rivals tangle on a beautiful evening under the lights, an atmosphere made more festive by the near constant drumbeat and occasional blast from the vuvuzelas of the Lady Chiefs’ supporters.

The game began somewhat cautiously with neither team having a serious scoring opportunity in the first 12 minutes, as they seemed to be feeling each other out. That was until Black River’s Sara Rumrill sent an arcing shot in from the right hand side that eluded Lady Chiefs starting keeper Taylor Wilson, high into the left hand corner of the goal to open the scoring.

Hardly 30 seconds later, BR junior Morgan Kathan pushed a shot to the lower left corner of the goal, just beating Wilson, and catching the inside of the post to trickle across the goal line before the keeper could recover. Barely a minute later Kathan struck again, leaving no doubt this time as her left footed blast was destined for the back of the net and a 3-0 Black River lead.

Green Mountain kept its composure and quickly drew a direct kick a minute later on a Black River foul about 20 yards out on the left side. GM stopped the bleeding and got on the board all at once as junior Madi Huntley took the direct kick, tucking a beautiful shot in the upper left corner where BR goalie Hannah Livingston had no chance. The game settled down a bit from there, with Black River holding the edge in possession with great passing and communication. But the Lady Chiefs persevered, playing solid defense and limited the scoring opportunities finishing the half down 3-1. Green Mountain came out aggressive early in the second half, barely missing on a great chance after a throw in and some nice passing on the right side.

But about eight minutes in, the GM defense lost track of the dangerous Rumrill once again. She was left open for a nice long distance shot to the upper right corner of the goal. But freshman goalie Emily Castillo, who had entered midway through the first half, was there to make the save. Immediately after, Rumrill collected Castillo’s ensuing punt and wasted no time targeting the upper left, this time beating the keeper for a 4-1 Black River lead.

GM coach Julie Walton’s crew then showed their mettle in a crucial stretch where Castillo made a terrific kick save on Kathan streaking in alone, Emily McNamara left the game with an injury after battling for the ball in the offensive zone, ultimately leading to a fine scoring opportunity that striker Huntley shot just wide.

Momentum seemed to be shifting even more as, shortly later, Huntley tracked down a loose ball on the left side, and quickly launched a shot from 25 five yards out, beating Livingston over the top to claw back to 4-2. Despite Huntley’s efforts as well as fine work from Muriel Chase and Catie Tyrrell on the wings, it wasn’t enough to top the talented crew from Ludlow.

With seven minutes left, Kathan and Rumrill combined again, with Kathan driving the right wing and earning a corner and Rumrill sending in a nicely placed ball for Kathan to head past Castillo for a hat trick and a final score of 5-2.

The Lady Chiefs’ next game opens at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 against Proctor, just north of Rutland.