SOUTH BURLINGTON — The Middlebury Union High School won a first-round Division I playoff game last week, but fell in a Saturday quarterfinal. The Tigers finished at 9-6.
The Tigers opened on Wednesday by defeating No. 11 Brattleboro, 15-4, in the seniors’ final appearance on Fucile Field.
MUHS did not score until Katie Holmes converted a free position 11 minutes in, but the Tigers closed the half strong to take an 8-3 lead at the break. In that surge, Emma Donahue, Emma Best and Emily Kiernan scored two goals apiece, Julia Rosenberg picked up a goal and an assist, and Alexis Ouellette set up two goals.
The Colonels scored the first goal of the second half, but the Tiger defense and goalie Baily Ryan (eight saves) shut them down the rest of the way. For the Colonels, goalie Sara Gauthier stopped five shots, and Cassidy Stevvins and Abbie Lesure each had two goals.
The Tigers worked for high-percentage shots; 11 of their goals were assisted and many scored from close range. Donahue led all scorers with three goals and three assists. Satchel McLaughlin and Best recorded two goals and an assist each, and Holmes and Kiernan scored two goals apiece. Also scoring were Ouellette, Andi Boe (a goal and an assist apiece), and Lejla Mahmuljin (one goal).
On Saturday, No. 3 Rice (13-3) edged MUHS, 13-11. Rice took a 5-0 lead and led by four at the half. The Tigers surged after the break and scored four straight to tie the game with 10 minutes to go. But Kristin Bellomo (seven goals) scored the go-ahead goal, and another Rice score made it 12-10. Kiernan made it 12-11, but Rice won the draw and Bellomo added an insurance goal with a minute to go.
 
Best led MUHS with five goals, Donahue had a goal and four assist, Holmes scored twice, Rosenberg and Kiernan each had a goal and an assist, and McLaughlin also found the net. Ryan stopped eight shots, and Rice goalie Clare Sheahan made 10 saves.
MIDDLEBURY UNION HIGH School freshman Andi Boe scoops up a loose ball during last week’s first-round playoff game against Brattleboro.
Independent photo/Trent Campbell