Weekly Recap: 9/12-9/15

Wednesday, September 12

Varsity Badminton vs. Emma Willard: W 6-1

Varsity Field Hockey vs. Kingswood-Oxford: W 4-3

Recap: After a shaky start and lots of midfield possession, Porter's Field Hockey took the lead over an energetic Kingswood-Oxford team off of goals from Mel Belenardo '20 and Clare Porter '19. Early in the second half, KO had an offensive surge, tying the game 2-2 with 14 minutes left. After a quick time-out, Porter's regrouped and regained the lead with 12 minutes remaining, when Mel Belenardo '20 scored her second goal of the game off a pass from Clare Porter '19. With 4 minutes remaining, Belenardo '20 found herself on a breakaway again and she sealed the lead with her 3rd goal of the game in a 1v1 with the goalie! Although KO knocked in one final goal with seconds left on the clock, Porter's escaped with the win. Rachel Hart '20 recorded 2 assists, and goalies Elizabeth Muller '19 (1st half, 2 saves) and Kami Vigilant '20 (2nd half, 3 saves) shared the goal for the win.

Varsity Volleyball vs. Choate Rosemary Hall: L 2-3

Recap: Porter's Varsity Volleyball played a hard-fought match against Choate Rosemary Hall to open the season. Despite playing a strong game, the team fell short, losing the match 2-3. Porter's opened by handily winning the first game 25-18. Choate took the early lead in the second game, but Porter's fought back and forced Choate to play an extra point. Porter's lost the second set 26-24. Porter's again dominated in the third set with a score of 25-15, but then again lost the fourth 20-25. The fifth set was a thrilling roller coaster, but Choate prevailed 15-13 to win the match. Leading Porter's offense were seniors, Ellen White, and Sofia Barth. White '19 provided the team with eighteen kills and four aces while Barth '19 contributed eleven kills and eight aces. Callie Godfrey '20 was solid in the right hitter position and had 5 kills. Setter, Astrid Lipkins '21 was key in the success of the offensive, giving the hitters many scoring possibilities. Playing middle was Lucy Taglich '19 and Violet Cue '21 who each contributed with successful blocks and hits. Playing libero, Tiara Do '19, received many hard-hit balls and lead the team in digs. Victoria Lima '19 came in as defensive specialist in the final set and Julia Dowd '20 was also brought in for her powerful serve. On the bench, Charlotte Whalen '20, D'vine Straughter '21, and Georgina Eber '21 brought the energy with their cheering and encouragement.

Saturday, September 15

Varsity Field Hockey vs. Wilbraham & Monson: T 2-2

Recap: The Porter's team was the first to get on the scoreboard 17 minutes into the first half off a perfect penalty corner play that was set up by Mel Belenardo '20 and finalized by senior Cricket Barnes. W&M tied it up with a few minutes later off an amazing direct shot but Porter's continued fighting and ended the first half with a 2-1 lead after Merritt Hall '20 tipped in a shot by Mel Belenardo '20 with 6 minutes remaining. With 14 minutes left in the 2nd half, W&M was able to tip in a 2nd goal, which pushed the game into OT. In the 7v7 OT, sudden victory seemed to unfold for Porter's when Clare Porter '19 swept in a shot off a pass from Mel Belenardo '20. Unfortunately, a conflicting and baffling call by the official, who claimed the ball was not touched inside the circle, led to the goal being called off, and play resumed. Thankfully, Porter's was able to fend off an intense attack from the W&M team in the final minutes to secure the tie, however, it was a frustrating end to a hard-fought game.

Goalie Elizabeth Muller '19 had 10 saves for Porters. Porter's dominated the game with 12 penalty corners and 23 shots on goal. Senior center back, McKenna Cutler and junior left midfielder Audrey McMillan came up huge with their defensive stops and solid passing throughout the game. Cricket Barnes '19 and Sydney Cheng '21 also put in solid efforts throughout the game

Varsity Soccer vs. Williston Northampton: W 2-0

Recap: Porter's hosted class B opponents Williston this past Saturday. The opponents were very organized, athletic and showed a lot of desire to break up the momentum of the ball. Very early in the game, Kyla Gallagher '20 and Sam Halligan '21 came close to scoring but the Williston Keeper showed very good handling with both efforts. The girls in green moved the ball around well for a lot of the half but needed to show more patience (in possession) for longer periods. Midway through the first half, a corner kick was worked from right to left until Carlyn Kosienski '19 received a pass from Gallagher '20 who hit the top corner from just inside the area. Porter's Soccer did a good job of playing out of the opponent’s high press and entered the attacking third on many occasions. Early in the second half, Gallagher '20 provided a clever touch to Laura Gouvin '20 who beat a defender before calmly finishing to complete the scoring. Pia Davis '21 was close to making it 3-0 but her effort hit the inside of the post and bounced across the goal line. Kosienski '18, Lauren Schramm '20, Marjorie Plants '21 and Shayla Procanik '18 worked tirelessly on the wings and Katie Konin '19, Gabby Owens '19, and Meghan Keating '20 were excellent in and out of possession.

Varsity Volleyball vs. Deerfield Academy: L 1-3

Recap: Porter's Varsity Volleyball traveled to Milton Academy to play a doubleheader against Milton Academy and Deerfield Academy.

First up was Deerfield, in which Porter's lost 1-3. After taking the first set 26-24, the team lost the next set 25-27, followed by the third and fourth 20-25, and 14-25 respectively. Leading the offense was Ellen White '19 with eleven kills. Callie Godfrey '20 had a number of hard hits and had an impressive day of serves that included three aces. Sophia Barth '19 also had a good day offensively and lead the team in passing. Astrid Lipkins '21 took the lead as setter with Georgina Eber '21 coming in to for a set. Julia Dowd '20 served for Lipkens and D'vine Straughter '21 relieved Barth for a set. Victoria Lima '19 and Tiara Do '19 shared the role of libero and Lucy Taglich '19 and Violet Cue '21 played middle.

Varsity Volleyball vs. Milton Academy: W 3-0

Recap: Porter's Varsity Volleyball traveled to Milton for a doubleheader against Milton Academy and Deerfield Academy.

Despite losing the first game, Porter's came back strong to win against Milton in straight sets, 25-22, 25-14, and 25-22. Georgina Eber '21 stepped up into the role of setter, allowing for Porter's offensive attack to shine. Ellen White '19, this time playing middle, had another impressive game, with ten kills, five aces, and numerous passes. Julia Dowd '20 played outside with an impressive four kills and six aces. Also, outside was Sophia Barth '19 who had five kills and a solid passing game. Callie Godfrey '20 played middle and contributed four kills and impressive serving with three aces and no errors. D'vine Straughter '21 had a good game at right side with two kills and Tiara Do '19 and Victoria Lima '19 shared the role of libero and were a key part of the defense.