Bears rally in second half, but fall to Hartford in overtime

BRATTLEBORO — Despite a spirited second half comeback bid, the Brattleboro girls soccer team was on the wrong end of a penalty kick call and ensuing game-winning goal during the first overtime period and fell to Hartford 3-2 at Natowich Field on Thursday.

After they fell behind by two goals early in the second half, junior Leanna Rago-Marker scored twice for the Bears (1-5-1) just over six minutes apart to tie the game. The first goal came on a penalty kick and the second was on a deflection off a free kick from senior Natalie Knutson. But with just over two minutes left in the first overtime period the Bears were called for a foul in the box resulting in a Hurricanes (4-3-1) penalty kick that they converted to win the game.

“I thought both teams played really hard last night, I knew even down 2-0 that my girls would rally in the [second] half. I told them last night that [they] should walk off the field with their heads held [high], they had nothing to be ashamed of with their effort,” said Brattleboro head coach Jay Cudworth in an email. Cudworth was not available for comment after the game.

The Bears withstood a few half chances early, and sophomore Lucia Stafford had the first shot on goal which was saved by Hurricanes sophomore goalie Dakarai Jones. The Bears looked to have taken the lead when a header by senior Juliette Pals off a free kick went into the net, but it was called back for offsides. The Hurricanes then went ahead with sophomore Lucy Crowley making a nice move at the top of the box and scoring on a shot into the top left corner that gave them the lead with 3:54 left in the first half.

Shortly after the goal at the 2:42 mark of the first half Cudworth was given a yellow card for arguing a call on the sideline. The Hurricanes kept their momentum from the goal, generating a couple of chances that included a close range shot by junior Ava Fletcher that was stopped by Bears junior goalie Desiree Thibault. But that would be the last scoring chance for either team to finish the first half, and the Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The teams traded chances to start the second half, as Crowley and Pals each had attempts saved. But the Bears were then called for a handball inside the box, and Crowley scored the spot kick with a shot to the roof of the net to give the Hurricanes a two-goal lead with 31:38 to go in the second half. Less than three minutes later the Bears earned their own penalty kick, and Rago-Marker put the shot into the left side of the net to cut the lead to one at 28:47 of the second half. Thibault held strong in net, picking up a pair of saves including one from point-blank range.

The Bears then earned a free kick, and Knutson floated up a cross which was deflected in by Rago-Marker to tie the game with 22:37 remaining in the second half. After Hurricanes junior Adi Schultz was shown a yellow card for a foul at 15:11 of the second, only 22 seconds of game time later play was halted and Cudworth came across the field to address the crowd for heckling. The Hurricanes nearly found their winner as a shot by Crowley hit off the left post and Thibault saved the rebound, and the Bears held strong on defense to send the game to overtime tied at 2-2.

Both teams had half chances to start overtime, as Thibault picked up a chipped through ball by the Hurricanes and Bears senior Macie Tkaczyk had a shot miss wide left of the frame. But with 2:31 left in the first overtime period after a delayed call by the official on what looked to be incidental contact, the Hurricanes were awarded a penalty kick. Crowley stepped up to the spot and once again fired the shot into the top of the net, securing a hat trick along with the win for the Hurricanes.

“I will say that it was a disappointing result for us, but we had some chances to change that and we did not take advantage of them. Soccer can be cruel sometimes, and the results don’t match the effort. But Hartford was a little better than us at that last night at taking advantage of those chances, and so we can only tip our cap,” said Cudworth.

Despite the result, after a tough start to the season which included losing their first four contests on the road, the Bears have improved their play in the midst of a four game homestand. They started with earning a 0-0 tie versus Fair Haven last Saturday, before defeating rival Mount Anthony 6-0 on Tuesday. While Thursday’s game didn’t go their way, the Bears showed resolve in the face of adversity.

The Bears will look to get back in the win column when they wrap up their homestand by hosting undefeated Springfield this Saturday. Kick off is scheduled for 11 a.m.

“I am so proud of my team, and I know we will turn the page and be ready for Springfield,” said Cudworth.