Bethel Boys; Senior Recognition & 2 Wins

South Royalton's #12 Michael Obuchowski makes a spectacular leap for the ball in an attempt to block Whitcomb's Teddy Mills. (Herald photo / Joyce Hunt)

The Whitcomb Hornets Boys hosted the D3 South Royalton Royals on Monday, Oct. 6^th. The hometown Hornets won the game with a 3-0 shutout. This was the Hornets last home game of the season and "Senior Recognition Day," a CVL tradition.

Bill Elberty, principal of Whitcomb High School, welcomed all those in attendance and recognized the seniors from South Royalton first. Each Royal was presented a blue Gatorade, with a golf ribbon, representing the Royals blue and golf uniform colors, along with a congratulatory message from the Whitcomb High Boosters Club. Royals seniors recognized were Eben Bayer, Jake Doyle, Josh Eggun, and Jamie Kinnarney.

The Whitcomb seniors were each given a green Gatorade along with a long-stemmed white rose, which the boys then presented to their parents. Each boy was then photographed with his parents. Hornet seniors recognized were Ted Gavin, Dan Gauthier, Chris Hudson, Travis Hunt, Aaron Isham, Dan Newell, Jesse Richards, Jerrid Russ and Justin Wright.

The game started with 8 of the 9 senior Hornets starting, as Dan Newell was ineligible due to his two-game red card suspension. For 35 minutes, both teams fought for possession of the ball. Whitcomb out-shot the Royals 17-7 with no score. At 36:53, William White was able to put the Hornets on the board unassisted. This 1-0 lead went into the half.

At 16:43 Justin Wright converted a direct kick, resulting from a tripping penalty, into a goal for a 2-0 Whitcomb lead. At 21:44 Dan Michaud would net his 8^th goal of the season on an unassisted shot to the corner. This goal put the Hornets up 3-0 and give Whitcomb the shutout. Whitcomb out shot South Royalton in the second half 17-4.

Travis Hunt returned from a knee injury and had 8 saves for the Hornets. Lee Cross, the Royals starting goalie, was unable to tend the net due to a hand injury. Jamie Kinnarney had 14 saves for South Royalton.

Win Over Rockets

On a bitterly cold and windy, day, the Hornets soccer team traveled to Rochester and defeated the hometown Rockets on Friday, Oct. 4^th, 2-1. This gave the Hornets their 9^th win of the season.

In a very physical and fast paced game, the Hornets pounded Rochester goalie John Gabourg with shots from the get-go.

Four minutes into the game, junior forward Dan Michaud put the Hornets up 1-0. Whitcomb took the lead into the half.

Midway through the second half, Rocket John Sabau scored off an assist from teammate Ryder Lary, tying the score 1-1. Hornets Sean Judge and John Kill both made their varsity debut. Hornet Jerrid Russ and Rocket Mike Farington both received yellow cards for unnecessary roughness for which both were previously warned.

With the clock winding down, Dan Michaud set up sophomore midfielder Michael White, who blasted a shot into the corner of the net for the winning goal. With starting goalie Travis Hunt still out with a knee injury, Chris Hudson tended the net. Jesse Richards returned to action after being sidelined for about two weeks. Both Michael White and Dan Michaud, along with Dan Newell who was sidelined for a red card suspension, have netted seven goals each throughout the season for the Hornets.

John Gabourg had 14 saves for the Rockets and Chris Hudson had 10 saves for the Hornets.

J.V. Boys

On Thursday Oct. 3^rd the Whitcomb Junior Varsity boys hosted the D3 Rivendell Raptors. Whitcomb won the game 1-0, beating the Raptors for the second time this season.

Pat Hudson scored off an assist from Andrew Durfee. Sean Davis had six saves for the hometown Hornets.

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By Laurie-Jean Gauthier