Friday August 24, 2012

BRATTLEBORO -- 2011 was a season of firsts for the Bellows Falls varsity girls soccer team, which won at least eight games and also advanced in the playoffs for the first times in its program’s history.

Is it now time for their first State championship?

"If we win the States, I won’t be surprised. But I’m not going to get carried away," said 11-year coach John Broadley.

The Terriers shocked everyone last season by going 11-4-1 after finishing with a 1-12-1 record the year before. And they made it all the way to the semifinals.

"That turnaround just came down to the kids. They had the motivation, they had the desire, and they learned how to win games," added Broadley. "This is a group of fantastic kids. Our goals are to equal our nine regular-season wins of last season and be well prepared for the playoffs."

The Bellows Falls coach said he has a really good feeling about this group. That could have something to do with him seeing 26 players show up at 6 a.m. on Thursday to practice.

"The mood is good and the play is phenomenal for this early in the season. I feel that the motivation is higher than it’s ever been. The mood is all about learning and working hard," noted Broadley.

The team’s 4-4-2 scheme will again be backed up by keeper Enny Mustapha. After recording four shutouts as a junior, Mustapha returned to goalie camp at Keene State College over the summer.

Broadley

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said that rookie stopper Stephanie Parsons has been running two miles per day and that backfield mate Lydia Pedigo is deceptively quick, while Addie Dailey and Ashley Palmisano should be solid in the midfield.

The scoring is expected to come from Corina Stack and Elise Doucet -- both players had seven goals in 2011. The Terrier coach is hoping to get 7-8 goals from Chelsea Wilder and Brit Moyna as well.

The Terriers will debut at Long Trail on Sept. 6. Their home opener will be against MSJ on Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m.

Bellows Falls roster: Coach -- John Broadley. Returning players -- Enny Mustapha, Darion James, Lydia Pedigo, Stephanie Parsons, Remy Kurkul, Chelsea Wilder, Ashley Palmisano, Addie Dailey, Brit Moyna, Corina Stack, Elise Doucet, Chapin Reis. Newcomers -- Emily Perry, Sami Barth, Casada Pencek, Anja Alden, Tori Lawrence, Hollie Jackson, Holly Prue, Antonia Dufort, Taylor Westfall, Kenzie Crawford, Emma Moyna, Nieza Schemm, Lauren Punger, Anna Barry, Chloe Boyce, Caitlyn Burns, Shania Martin, Tia Hindes.