RUHS Girls' Home-Field Advantage
Doesn't Guarantee Victories

In a nice break, the Gal Ghosts had a whole string of home games last week, though they couldn't seem to fill the win column. On Wednesday Randolph faced Peoples Academy at home and lost 4-0.

The Ghosts, somewhat intimidated by the quick moving Peoples team played back on defense for much of the first half, managing just two shots, neither of which made it to the goal. Kendra Smythe of Peoples to scored in the 24^th minute.

The Gal Ghosts regrouped somewhat after that and contained Peoples with good input from Cara Collins and the rest of the fullbacks. Peoples scored another goal with six minutes left in the half.

Randolph didn't have many scoring opportunities in the second half, because forwards Jess Simpson, Emma Jackson, Erin Barry and others often got caught back on defense. The Gal Ghosts played tough until they began to break down around the 26 minute mark. Peoples took advantage of that and scored two goals within minutes of one another.

Madeline Sharrow nearly scored with a direct kick outside the area in the second half. Goalie Kate Shriver came up with some big saves in the first half keeping Randolph in it, but they just couldn't seem to fight back in the second period.

Close Loss for Ghosts

On Saturday morning Randolph played at home against Montpelier and lost a close game 1-0. Coach Viens was very pleased with the Ghosts' performance as they played a great game, though they struggled again to find the golden goal.

Randolph's short passing game really came together with good work from halfbacks Kate Dempsey and Matilda Urie. Throughout the first half Randolph moved the ball very well. This allowed them several great chances to score, with both wings Jess Simpson and Laura Koloski crossing the ball into the center. Randolph took some deep shots as well with halfbacks Urie and Marissa Meyer both putting the ball on net.

About half way through the first half Montpelier's top scorer Christine Aldrich took a shot from the corner of the 18 that just barely flew over the head of Shriver.

Like they had in the first half, Randolph communicated well and got the ball onto Montpelier's end of the field, but not into their net.

Another 1-Point Loss

The Gal Ghosts went to Oxbow to battle the Olympians who bettered the Ghosts, 1-0. The girls started the game off like they did on Saturday, coming out hard and looking to score. They moved the ball well in the middle of the field again, and utilized some quick switches to throw Oxbow's defense off. Their curse that has followed them all year did not cease on Tuesday though and Randolph could not score in the first half.

It seemed that Oxbow wouldn't either, but they got a long shot off with 40 seconds left in the half to give them the edge. Goalie Shriver came up with some great saves right in front of the goal to prevent Oxbow's lead from increasing. Near the end of the game, Randolph kept the ball on Oxbow's end, but never put it in the net.

J.V. Girls

On Saturday the J.V. team picked up their second win against Montpelier, 2-1. Reiko Sakai and Barbara Pinello were the scorers for Randolph. In Oxbow the J.V. girls kept their win streak going with another 2-1 victory. Scoring in this game were Laura Holt and Corey Scoppe.

Both varsity and J.V. had the week off until they play Saturday in Harwood. The Gal Ghosts' final regular season game is next Tuesday in Lyndon.

By Hillary Mason