Lady Lancers Claim Division II Soccer Crown in 4 Overtimes
by Dave Morse

BARRE TOWN - Just when it seemed the Lamoille Union Lancers were back on
their collective heels in defending their only Division II state girls
soccer championship some great athletes found a way and responded.
Leading 2-1 after the first half, the Lancers went scoreless for 84
minutes, 32 seconds before sophomore Lucy Higgins tucked away senior
Anna Schulz' perfect pass and Lamoille could claim back-to-back titles,
3-2, Saturday in four overtimes against a nearly-as- magnificent
Montpelier High squad on Malcolm Kiniry Field in Barre Town.
Two hours, 36 minutes of superlative soccer - the final 44:32 sudden
death. The first two extra sessions were of 15 minutes each (instead of
two 10s used before the finals), then 8 on 8.
"I knew if we could get back to 8 on 8 with our speed we would be okay,"
said head coach Dean LaBrie...his voice trailing off at just the thought
of what it would take. 'We were better the first half. They backed us up
for a while in the second half. Their counters were dangerous, but we
responded."
The winning thrust was one of those plays coaches draw in dirt or
diagram on a clipboard.
Senior Mikal-lyn Miglinas moved the ball into position just over
midfield for Schulz, who threaded it between two charging defenders to
the awaiting Higgins on the doorstep. It was almost like proving
congruent triangles the way it unfolded.
"I was playing further up field," said Schulz, opening up more passing
room. "When two of their players came to me, Lucy ran around them."
As tight as the contest was it could have gone the other way any second.
The fourth extra session started with the Solons on attack until
sophomore goalie Mackenzie Pratt stepped up on Montpelier's brilliant
Megan Cahoon.
The ensuing goalie kick to Miglinas started a long awaited sweep the
entire length of the field and Pratt's fear of penalty kicks abated.
One could see Pratt exhale at the thought. "OH! I told myself, just
catch it and we'll be fine," she recalled.
Coach LaBrie had complete confidence in the sophomore, who had faced 200
penalty kicks in practice leading up to the championship, knowing it
could be that kind of game.
Pratt was caught up in a free-for-all on which Montpelier's Elizabeth
Chase opened the scoring midway in the first half.
Lamoille was getting good runs deep and, within seven minutes of
counterattacks, took advantage of a strong throw-in from Nakysha LaBrie.
It was mis-directed and went to Higgins for the equalizer.
Just before the half, Miglinas slipped into some open space to give the
Lancers breathing room.
Higgins and Miglinas had exploited Lamoille's speed to the surprise of
the Solons. The pair are half of the Lancers' state D-II championship
4X100 girls track and field relay team, also taking titles in the 100
and 200.
For as much pressure the Solons would put on in the second half - at
least a half dozen corner kicks by Cahoon - only Chase's second chip
shot found the back of the net with 16:47 remaining in regulation.
But more than 60 minutes of riveting action remained!
Pratt posted a dozen saves and Montpelier's Kendra Dowen had seven.
Coach Eric Bagley, of the Solons, said it was some of the best soccer he
has seen. Everyone could agree to that.