Bulldogs Advance with Goal in the 79th minute

The Bulldogs came out strong and confident on their home turf in a NEPSAC quarterfinal game against Proctor Academy on Wednesday afternoon. Surrounded by upbeat fans ranging from lower school- age to adult, the Bulldogs seemed buoyed by the support. 

 

The Bulldogs’ first chance came in the 11th minute when Chili Dowd (Amesbury, MA) made a great shot on frame but the Proctor goalie caught it. Likewise, Bella Mazza (Madbury, NH) took a strong shot to the corner of the goal but again, the Proctor goalie got there.  Throughout most of the first half, the teams seemed evenly matched and the teams went in the halftime break tied 0-0.

 

The Bulldogs were determined in the second half and put the pressure on Proctor but couldn't get on the board.  Louise Roper (Kennebunkport, ME) was a force to be reckoned with in the goal. In the 59th minute, Roper made a huge diving save to the left and tipped the ball off the post. She then scrambled to her feet, and made an amazing point blank save to keep the game scoreless.  The game seemed destined for overtime until the 79th minute when Grace Libby (Standish, ME) weaseled her way on the ball  in the offensive third with her back to goal surrounded by defenders and being closed down by the Proctor goalie, she had the composure to drop it back to Reese Murphy (Stratham, NH) who shot arced over the proctor defense and goalie and into the back of the net for the game winner.  The Bulldogs stifled that last 40 seconds of Proctor's attack to advance.

The Bulldogs are now 14-3-3 and will travel to a neutral site to play St. Luke's School in the NEPSAC class C semifinals on Saturday 11/20.  This marks the Bulldogs third trip to the NEPSAC Class C Semifinals in the history of the school.  They'll hope to make history on Saturday and advance to their first ever NEPSAC Class C Final.