Weekly Recap: 10/8-10/13

Monday, October 8

Varsity Field Hockey vs. Hopkins: W 3-0

Recap: The Porter's field hockey team came to play against a hard-hitting Hopkins squad on Monday afternoon. With solid defense and consistent passing and play-making, Porter's was able to find the net multiple times. Junior Mel Belenardo got Porter's on the board off a breakaway in the first half and Belenardo '20 scored again 30 seconds into the 2nd half off a pass from Clare Porter '19. On a penalty corner with 12 minutes remaining in the 2nd half, Porter '19 tipped in a shot by Cricket Barnes '19 to seal the victory. Strong defensive play from Grace Bergin '19 and McKenna Cutler '19, as well as solid passing between Rachel Hart '20 and Merritt Hall '19 along the right sideline, helped Porter's to maintain possession. Goalie Elizabeth Muller '19 had 2 saves in the first half and goalie Kami Vigilant '20 had 2 saves in the second half for the shutout.

Wednesday, October 10

Varsity Field Hockey vs. Canterbury: L 0-1

Recap: The Porter's field hockey team struggled to find the net in their game against the Canterbury Saints this afternoon. Although Porter's forwards had a lot of scoring opportunities in the second half and a penalty stroke opportunity in the first half, Porter's shots were consistently deflected out of the circle. With unseasonably hot temperatures, the pace of the game was slow and intensity levels were inconsistent. The Canterbury goal was deflected off a defender in the circle with 2 seconds remaining in the game leaving Porter's no time to rebound. Despite the questionable nature of the goal, the officials deemed it legal and the game ended with a disappointing 1-0 score. Goalie Elizabeth Muller '20 had 10 saves for the match and there were strong efforts on the field from midfielders Audrey McMillan '20, Cricket Barnes '19 and Rachel Hart '20 and competitive play from forwards Clare Porter '19 and Mel Belenardo '20.

Varsity Soccer vs. Taft: T 2-2

Recap: Porter's Varsity Soccer traveled to take on Class A and founders League opponents Taft on Wednesday afternoon. In an even first half, Porter's was a little too eager to play the final ball giving possession away (be that in the defensive third) too easily. The two best chances of the half fell to Kyla Gallagher '20 and Carlyn Kosienski '19 but the Taft keeper showed good footwork and handling on both occasions. The second half was an opportunity to show a little more understanding in the attacking third and the girls in green did not disappoint. Only 5 minutes after the restart Gallagher '20 played a square pass to Laura Gouvin '20 who threaded a ball in behind for Gallagher '20 who took it around the keeper to open the scoring. At the 12 minute mark, Porter's intercepted a dangerous pass that fell to Taft's creative midfielder who showed good footwork to score the first goal against the team in 9 games. Only a few minutes later, Jenna Hall '20, punched clear a corner and Marjorie Plants '21 and Sam Halligan '21 found Gallagher '20 who turned provider for Gouvin '20 who ran through and beat the keeper to restore the lead. Porter's Soccer had a few other very good chances to finish the game, including a 2 v 1 situation 20 yards from goal. With less than 5 minutes remaining the girls in green wasted a free kick and were hit on the counter, Taft put in a very good cross to the back post where the Taft #3 was waiting to head the ball home to tie the game.

Saturday, October 13

Varsity Cross Country vs. Williston Northampton: L 33-25

Recap: On Saturday Porter's raced Williston Northampton at the new Avon Old Farms cross country course. This is the first home meet Porter's has had since 2016. Although Porter's lost to Williston 33-25, the team had a good showing despite missing several key runners. Several runners were able to get personal records like Teagan Quinlan '22 who finished third overall with a time of 21:39, Sofia Olivares '20 with a time of 23:47, and McKenzie Roller '20 who finished with a time of 24:24. Alexandra Poole '20 finished first overall with a time of 20:05 and beat the second place runner by over 20 seconds.

Varsity Field Hockey vs. St. Luke's: W 2-1

Recap: Porter's field hockey played with intensity against an aggressive St. Luke's team Saturday afternoon. After some solid offensive pressure from forwards Clare Porter '19, Merritt Hall '19, Morgan Mastrangelo '19 and Melina Belenardo '20, Porter's got on the board with a scrappy shot from Belenardo '20 halfway through the first half. Approximately ten minutes into the 2nd half, St. Luke's got a lucky breakaway and scored, tying the game up 1-1. Shortly afterward, Audrey McMillan '20, who had been playing a phenomenal game, was injured by a hard shot to the foot and she had to leave the game. Morgan Pickett '20 stepped into McMillian's '20 position at left mid and did a nice job keeping the ball in the offensive end. Thanks to the efforts of Pickett '20 and other midfielders Cricket Barnes '19 and Rachel Hart '20, and defenders Jackie Witt '20, Grace Bergin '19, and Natalie Brennan '20, Porter's dominated the majority of the 2nd half after that point, with several other chances to secure the win. Despite a strong effort, the game ended in a tie and the sudden-victory 7v7 OT period began. St. Lukes started with the ball and made a run at the goal, but defenders Natalie Brennan '20 and Bergin '19 shut down the offensive pressure and Hart '20 and Barnes '19 helped feed the ball up to a determined Porter '19 on the forward line. Porter '19 fought her way through the defense and made a perfect cross from the right wing over to Belenardo '20 who was wide open in front of the net. After her first shot bounced off the goalie's pads, Belenardo '20 got the rebound and lifted it into the net for the win 1 minute into the OT! It was an exciting and well-deserved win for the Porters' field hockey team. Elizabeth Muller '19 had 7 great saves in the net to help secure the win.

Varsity Soccer vs. Kent: W 6-0

Recap: Porter's Varsity Soccer hosted Founders League opponents, Kent on Kiki field on Saturday afternoon. With only 13 healthy players the team focused on moving the ball and changing the tempo in stages of the game. Kent was organized but was comfortable with allowing time and space in front of their backline. The girls in green took advantage of that and were able to switch the point of attack comfortably. Midway through the half Kyla Gallagher '20 cut the ball back to Laura Gouvin '20 who held it up before laying it off for Carlyn Kosienski '19 to score from the edge of the area. Porter's Soccer made their possession count in the second half by adding 5 more goals. The second was scored after Gallagher '20 played in Sam Halligan '21 who made no mistake with a first-time finish. Gallagher '20 made it 3 from 20 yards after receiving a pass from Gouvin '20. The 4th goal was scored after Taylor Hall '22 played in Pia Davis '21 who took a clever touch before finishing off of the post for her first varsity goal. Marjorie Plants '21 beat the keeper from 25 yards to record her first of the season and then Davis '21 got her second off the season after running onto a Halligan '21 through ball to complete the scoring for the afternoon.

Varsity Volleyball vs. Greenwich Academy: W 3-1