Rebels Reign

Field Hockey

South Burlington laid claim to its seventh D-I state championship in dramatic fashion this past weekend, winning in a 2-1 overtime victory against CVU on Saturday. Senior captain Casey Johnson delivered the last second heroics in the championship win. With 1:39 remaining in the first overtime period, the Rebels were set up for a penalty corner. Johnson absorbed a precision pass from teammate Melissa Valgoi and redirected it into the back of the CVU net to give South Burlington the championship-deciding goal.

Katie Young put South Burlington on the board with a goal in the first half, but the Redhawks battled back and scored on a penalty corner of their own to tie the game. CVU kept the pressure on, earning two more penalty corners that were expertly turned back by South Burlington goalie Liz Sargent. One critical save came with 3:30 to go in the first period of overtime, with Sargent coming through in the clutch situation to extend the game for South Burlington. She finished with four saves in the win.

The championship win was the third for South Burlington and head coach Anjie Soucy in the last six years. The South Burlington coach attributed the team’s success to attention to fundamental details, as well as the hard fought bonds of camaraderie and team work. “The girls played terrific throughout the entire season and playoff run.” said Soucy “I firmly believe that what allowed them to be successful was how coachable they were as an entire group. We really focused and worked on little details throughout the playoffs and the girls were able to not only focus and make these adjustments, but implement them during games. They are an amazing group of student-athletes, they all get along so well and are always cheering for one another!”