Senior captain Lara Collins collected a 12 save shutout while junior Alexa Pius scored the lone goal for Essex to help cap off a 1-0 senior night victory over Burlington. Collins earned her 7th shutout on the year. The game had a playoff atmosphere as both teams were hoping to improve their seedings. The win helped the Hornets improve to 9-3-1 on the year, while the Seahorses fell to 4-6-2.
Burlington goalkeeper Olivia Maher received a blow to the head at the twenty three minute mark in the first half. After being down for a moment, she walked off the field under her own power. Senior back Kassie Theriault replaced Maher as she kept them in the game. On the Burlington roster, Maher appeared to be the only goalkeeper, but Theriault stepped up to the challenge. They managed to combine for 12 saves.
Burlington had their chances to finish, but Collins seemed to always in the right place at the right time. One of the most notable scoring opportunities for the Seahorses came when Collins challenged a Burlington player as she was shooting. Collins managed to make the save, but it deflected right to Burlington’s Katie Costello as she fired a shot on an open net. Hornet back Sarah Weiss managed to sweep over in time to make the save and clear the ball as she protected the net for Collins. Essex had a similar opportunity in the first half as a Burlington back made the save from a shot from Pius.
Another notable opportunity came with 3:15 left in the game, as the Hornet’s were called for a handball in the box. A chance for Burlington to push the game to overtime was in reach, but Collins made a diving save to preserve the lead and later the victory.
The two teams played at Burlington High School several weeks ago, where Essex managed a 1-0 win. Look for Burlington to be a possible upset team in the near future in the playoffs.
Essex returns to action next Monday as they travel South Burlington for their final game of the season. Burlington travels to Colchester next Wednesday and wraps up their season as they host CVU next Friday.