Sports Report

CVU women’s cross country keeps on running
It was state championship time for high school cross-country runners at Thetford Academy on Saturday. CVU men’s and women’s teams mirrored the blaze of red in the mountains with women clustering it near the top of the pack. The Lady Hawks won their ninth-straight state title by finishing five individuals among the top 20, led by freshman Alice Larson who placed fourth, one spot ahead of teammate Jennifer Ireland, with Chloe Andres running 10th, Cate Noel and Ella Whitman in 16th and 17th. This team victory was their 14th in the last 15 years.

The men’s team finished fourth behind Essex, Burlington and South Burlington. Baxter Bishop in eighth place was the leading individual for the Redhawks.

CVU women’s soccer still without a loss
Within two minutes of a draw with Colchester in its Oct. 19 game, Redhawk women’s soccer kept its unbeaten streak alive on Charlotte Hill’s goal off the left post in the second overtime, giving the Hawks a 3-2 win. Ahead 2-1 early in the game, it looked as though CVU might not need overtime to clinch a victory. However, Colchester’s Autumn Hathaway scored her second goal in the 67th minute on a free kick and header. CVU outshot its opponents 18 to 7.

Breathing easier as the state tournament playdowns began, the Hawks demonstrated their strength as a team effort, crushing Mississquoi 11-0 on goals from many players, including Charlotters Lilly Cazayoux, Elizah Jacobs and Ella Woodruff.

They followed that victory with a quarterfinal win over eighth-ranked North Country. Natalie Durieux and Charlotte Hill each scored a pair of goals, and goalie Maryn Askew made her one save count to hold a 7-0 shutout.

Men’s soccer avoids an upset
Rutland nearly made it worth the drive north to face CVU in men’s soccer. Unfortunately for the Raiders, Nick Durieux’s goal halfway through the second overtime won it for the Redhawks 1-0. CVU outshot Rutland significantly, playing its usual strong midfield and defensive game.

Field hockey and volleyball move through the quarterfinals for CVU
Field hockey overtook Rice 1-0 in the Division I quarterfinals of the state tournament for the Redhawks’ second victory in a row over the Green Knights (the first going into overtime with CVU coming out on top 3-2), and the women volleyball spikers, ranked third in the state, topped sixth-ranked St. Johnsbury 3-0, winning their matches 25-11, 25-19 and 25-21.

CVU football closes in the Kingdom
Rankings among teams do mean something as St. Johnsbury demonstrated against CVU in football on Saturday. The Hilltoppers were positioned at the top of the Division I heap with the Redhawks in the 16th spot, the last team to make it into the playoffs. Having yet to lose this season, St. Jay led by 25 in the second quarter and added to the score for a 31-14 win. CVU did end its season in good fashion with a touchdown run by Jacob Brassard with 13 seconds remaining in the game.

A congratulations to Stan Williams, coach and teacher
Women’s soccer coach Stan Williams was recognized for his work in the classroom as well as on the soccer pitch recently. He received a $15,000 W. O’Toole Leadership Award from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. The O’Toole awards go to public school teachers who develop programs that focus on student-centered learning. Twelve teachers in New England received them this year. Stan teaches humanities and serves as an instructional as well soccer coach. He plans to use the grant to run a “Think Tank” class for teachers in Chittenden South School District. He will host a student-led symposium designed to expose district teachers to the ideas generated in the class.