Back and Forth Victory for Bulldogs

The Bulldogs hosted New Hampton under the lights on a chilly evening and held their own in a back and forth game. 

 

The Berwick team came out strong with two shots on goal in the first two minutes of the game, but could not capitalize, and then New Hampton put the pressure on the Bulldogs in their defensive third. In the 18th minute, Charlotte Vatcher (Kennebunk, ME) lofted a deep corner to the back post where Grace Libby (Standish, ME) controlled it and then hit a half volley into the net, giving the Bulldogs 1-0 lead.  Thirty-three minutes into the game, New Hampton scored off a PK due to an unintentional handball by the Bulldogs and the game was tied 1-1.  The Bulldogs turned around and scored another goal just three minutes later to get the lead back when Lily Pleau (Hampton Falls, NH) converted a PK after Phoebe Clark (Hampton, NH) was tripped by a New Hampton player.  The Bulldogs went into the halftime break up 2-1

 

The second half of the game included some close calls, such as a great cross from Chili Dowd (Amesbury, MA) to Phoebe Clark who tipped it just over the crossbar in the 58th minute. Likewise, the Bulldogs created an opportunity when Lily Pleau made a beautiful pass from the top right corner of the field to Reese Murphy (Stratham, NH) who volleyed the ball just over the goal in the 62nd minute.  New Hampton had another chance and were successful when, with 15 minutes left in the game, they scored off a rebound following a great breakaway save by Louise Roper (Kennebunkport, ME).  It seemed like the Bulldogs just cpuld not hold onto the lead. Finally, in the 66th minute of the game, Lily Pleau dribbled the ball to the top of the 18 and launched the ball into the left corner of the goal for her second goal of the game and 4th of the season. The Bulldogs held on for the 3-2 win

 

The Bulldogs are now 11-1-3 with two regular season games remaining.  Next up is a non league NEPSAC class C match at Brewster Academy on 11/5. The last game of the regular season will be an EIL match at home versus Concord Academy 11/10 and will determine if the Bulldogs can secure the number two seed in the EIL tournament and host 11/12.