Griffin's hat trick paces Mt. Anthony

By Mike Donoghue
Free PresGriffin's hat trick paces MAU past South Burlington
By Mike Donoghue
Free Press Staff Writer

April 13, 2008
SOUTH BURLINGTON -- Mount Anthony Union girls lacrosse coach Tom Otero moved Chloe Griffin from defense to offense halfway through last season and she responded with a hat trick in the first game.

It's a new season and Griffin, a junior, responded with another hat trick on Saturday as the Patriots held off South Burlington 5-4.

"I'm usually not a scorer. I've been used to set up. This season my coaches and teammates have urged me to shoot more," said Griffin, who tallied the first, third and fifth goals for MAU.

"We have never beaten South Burlington and I play field hockey too," she said.

It was the first win over the Rebels by an Otero-coached team. The eight-year coach said beating the Rebels was a goal this year.

"They are always the top team, along with Middlebury," Otero said.

South Burlington took a quick 1-0 lead on an unassisted goal by Krystal King with 2:35 gone in the game. The Patriots responded with three goals before halftime, including the equalizer by Griffin about three minutes later. Alyssa Porter with an assist from Shea Ghidotti gave the Patriots the lead for good with 16:41 left in the first half.

South Burlington's Alyssa Crews cut the lead to 3-2 with an assist by Zoe Iasilli as they charged down the field after an MAU yellow card with about 16 minutes left in the second half.

Kristen Carra scored five minutes later on a restart and Griffin made it 5-3 with 10:46 left, but the Rebels refused to die. After another MAU yellow card, Annie Rendell quickly netted an unassisted goal with 3:49 left.

Michelle Handy, with an assist from Rendell, closed it to 5-4 with one minute left. South Burlington had one more strong chance but the ball bounced past the goal with 24.9 seconds left.

Rendell said the young Rebels, who lost 12 players from the Division I state championship team, have been making strides.

"We are already improving," Rendell said, but it was another frustrating loss for the second straight day after bowing at Rutland on Friday.

"We had at least six shots hit the pipes on Friday," coach Anjie Soucy said. "Today they were looking to place the perfect shot. They just have to shoot on net."

Becca Shaw made 10 saves for SBHS (0-2).

Otero also gave credit to a young crop of defenders, including sophomores Jade Morse, Anya Eckhardt, Melissa Schramm and junior MacKenzie Kurtzner.

Danica Hill also stopped 16 shots for the Patriots (1-0), who head for a one-week practice in Maryland on Monday. Besides some scrimmages, the team plans to take in a Maryland-Georgetown game and visit Washington, D.C., Otero said.

Contact Mike Donoghue at 660-1845 or mdonoghu@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com

Griffin's hat trick paces Lady Patriots

Published: 04/12/2008


GRIFFIN'S HAT TRICK PACES MT. ANTHONY Griffin's hat trick paces Lady Patriots Published: 04/12/2008 By Mike Donoghue Free PresGriffin's hat trick paces MAU past South Burlington By Mike Donoghue Free Press Staff Writer April 13, 2008 SOUTH BURLINGTON -- Mount Anthony Union girls lacrosse coach Tom Otero moved Chloe Griffin from defense to offense halfway through last season and she responded with a hat trick in the first game. It's a new season and Griffin, a junior, responded with another hat trick on Saturday as the Patriots held off South Burlington 5-4. "I'm usually not a scorer. I've been used to set up. This season my coaches and teammates have urged me to shoot more," said Griffin, who tallied the first, third and fifth goals for MAU. "We have never beaten South Burlington and I play field hockey too," she said. It was the first win over the Rebels by an Otero-coached team. The eight-year coach said beating the Rebels was a goal this year. "They are always the top team, along with Middlebury," Otero said. South Burlington took a quick 1-0 lead on an unassisted goal by Krystal King with 2:35 gone in the game. The Patriots responded with three goals before halftime, including the equalizer by Griffin about three minutes later. Alyssa Porter with an assist from Shea Ghidotti gave the Patriots the lead for good with 16:41 left in the first half. South Burlington's Alyssa Crews cut the lead to 3-2 with an assist by Zoe Iasilli as they charged down the field after an MAU yellow card with about 16 minutes left in the second half. Kristen Carra scored five minutes later on a restart and Griffin made it 5-3 with 10:46 left, but the Rebels refused to die. After another MAU yellow card, Annie Rendell quickly netted an unassisted goal with 3:49 left. Michelle Handy, with an assist from Rendell, closed it to 5-4 with one minute left. South Burlington had one more strong chance but the ball bounced past the goal with 24.9 seconds left. Rendell said the young Rebels, who lost 12 players from the Division I state championship team, have been making strides. "We are already improving," Rendell said, but it was another frustrating loss for the second straight day after bowing at Rutland on Friday. "We had at least six shots hit the pipes on Friday," coach Anjie Soucy said. "Today they were looking to place the perfect shot. They just have to shoot on net." Becca Shaw made 10 saves for SBHS (0-2). Otero also gave credit to a young crop of defenders, including sophomores Jade Morse, Anya Eckhardt, Melissa Schramm and junior MacKenzie Kurtzner. Danica Hill also stopped 16 shots for the Patriots (1-0), who head for a one-week practice in Maryland on Monday. Besides some scrimmages, the team plans to take in a Maryland-Georgetown game and visit Washington, D.C., Otero said. Contact Mike Donoghue at 660-1845 or mdonoghu@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com