Saturday, September 22

There was good news and bad news for Canaan as they took on Thetford Academy for the second time this season. The good news is that the defense held the Thetford attack in check after allowing three goals in their first meeting. The bad news is that the Canaan offense was also shutout. The Lady Eagles were able to somewhat avenge an early season loss to Thetford, grinding out a 0-0 tie.

From the opening whistle, it was apparent that this would be a close, hard-fought match. Both squads applied equal pressure to the opponent's defense throughout the first half, firing seven shots each. The Canaan offense focused primarily on the right side of the Thetford back line. Striker Annick Marquis attempted several shots from the edge of the goalie's box and winger Vicky Harris had multiple chances from close range, but nothing was able to get by Thetford goalkeeper Amanda Brown. In stark contrast, the Thetford offense attacked all sides of the Canaan defense. Zoe Sirjane and Sara Papirmeister pressured Canaan keeper Miranda Havalotti with several shots at close range, but Havalotti was equal to the task.

The pace of the game picked up in the second half, as both teams looked to poke the first goal of the match. The Lady Eagles struggled to put quality shots on goal while the Thetford front line began to find space to shoot. Madi Perrin led the Thetford charge, taking four shots of her team's ten second half shots. Havalotti kept busy, as nine of those shots were on goal, but held steady. Despite the chances on both ends, neither team could find the back of the net before the final whistle blew.

The sudden-death overtime periods were full intensity and more defense. It seemed as though each and every time a player was in position to put a shot on goal, the defense was their to block or alter the shot. The overtimes came and went without a score, ending this long match in a 0-0 tie.

The tie was the first of the season for the Lady Eagles, who now stand at 3-3-1.