MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Union High School girls’ hockey team split two games last week, missing an opportunity to gain ground on first-place Essex in the process.
Entering this week, Essex, which lost on Wednesday and tied on Saturday, remains in first place at 13-2-1, followed by Rutland (13-3-1) and MUHS (11-4-1).
On Wednesday, host Mount Mansfield-Champlain Valley upset the Tigers, 2-1 in overtime, when Anna Burke scored with 10 seconds left in the extra session. The CougarHawks (6-9) had taken a 1-0 lead in the second period on a Lydia Maitland goal before Julia Carone tied the score for MUHS in the third. MMU/CVU goalie Joanna Wright kept her team in the game with 47 saves, while Rowan Hendy made 16 saves for MUHS.
While the Tigers were taking their fourth loss, at the same time BFA-St. Albans (10-6) was dealing Essex its second setback, 2-0.
On Saturday, the Tigers coasted past visiting South Burlington, 7-1. Helen Anderson notched a hat trick and added an assist. Tulley Hescock, Abby Gleason and Carone contributed a goal and an assist apiece; Kate Donahue added a goal; and Andi Boe chipped in four assists. Hendy made 11 saves, and Rebel goalie Tess Hanbridge stopped 35 shots.