CASTLETON — Local recent high school graduates made their presence known as Vermont and New Hampshire split the Annual Lions Cup All-Star Soccer Games at Castleton University on Saturday.
Middlebury’s Ben Turner and Vergennes’ Ezekiel Palmer suited up for the boys’ team that defeated New Hampshire, 2-0, while Commodore Ciara McClay took the field for the Vermont side that saw New Hampshire pull away late for a 3-1 victory.
Turner, a defender, earned Vermont’s 12th Player Award after helping the team shut out New Hampshire. Goalies Adam Johnson of Champlain Valley (four saves in the first half) and Sam Schoepke of Stowe (five in the second) combined for nine saves as Vermont won for the fourth time in five years and cut New Hampshire’s lead in the series to 20-17-8. 
Harwood’s Will Lapointe scored in the fourth minute as Vermont pressed early on, and Mount Anthony’s Dave Chorlton converted a 30-yard direct kick early in the second half to account for the second goal.
In the girls’ game Vermont controlled the scoreless first half and created a number of dangerous chances, one early off the foot of McClay. But New Hampshire goalie Katie Lorden dove to deny her.
New Hampshire then dominated the second half, although Milton’s Tatum Shappy scored to make it 1-1 at 13 minutes in. New Hampshire scored seven minutes later and added an insurance strike with five minutes to go to increase its advantage in the series to 19-13-5. Rutland goalie Elise Magro, who played the first half, earned Vermont’s 12th Player Award.
Mount Abraham Coach Dustin Corrigan was announced as the 2020 Vermont coach after assisting the team on Saturday.