WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. - J. Jewett scored three times and top-seeded Hartford boys soccer poured in a season-high eight goals in an 8-0 win over eighth-seeded Lyndon Institute in the quarterfinals Saturday afternoon at home.
The Hurricanes were up 3-0 at halftime and added five more after the break. L. Applebee set up two of the goals.
Hartford improves to 14-1 and has won 14 straight since a 2-3 loss to North Country in its season opener. The defense has been the engine of the streak, allowing four goals in those 14 games. Before Saturday, the Hurricanes had not scored more than four in a game all season.
Lyndon came in on a high after a 4-3 win over Lamoille in Wednesday’s opening round, but finishes 5-7-4.
Next up is fifth-seeded Milton (11-5), which knocked off fourth-seeded Montpelier 3-2 on Saturday. Hartford beat Montpelier 4-1 on Sept. 1.
Hartford boys soccer is next at home against Milton in the semifinals on Wednesday, October 28, at 3 p.m.
Other relevant play on Saturday, October 24:
Harwood 0 at Rice 0 Second-seeded Rice advanced on penalty kicks.
Middlebury 1 at U-32 3 Third-seeded U-32, which Hartford beat 3-0 on Sept. 5, moves on to face Rice.
Milton 3 at Montpelier 2 Milton, Hartford’s semifinal opponent, edged fourth-seeded Montpelier.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Montpelier at Hartford | Saturday, October 24
Hartford girls volleyball got off to the start it wanted Saturday, taking the first set 25-17 against fifth-seeded Montpelier in the quarterfinals at home. Montpelier answered by winning the next three, and the fourth-seeded Hurricanes’ season ended with a 1-3 loss.
Montpelier’s P. Bay-Hansen had seven kills. The result flipped the teams’ first meeting, when Hartford beat Montpelier 3-2 on Sept. 28.
Hartford came in on a four-match winning streak, including a 3-1 win over Mid Vermont Christian in Tuesday’s opening round. The Hurricanes finish 12-4, with wins over Mount Anthony, Mt. Abraham, Lyndon, Colchester and Vermont Commons among them.
Montpelier improves to 10-6 with its third straight win.
Set scores (Hartford first): 25-17, 16-25, 13-25, 14-25.
CROSS COUNTRY
Hartford at the state championships in Thetford | Saturday, October 24
Senior Sylvia Johnson finished fifth in her division race Saturday at the state cross country championships at Thetford Academy, running 21:27.9 to lead Hartford.
Senior Elijah Ofstad led the boys in eighth in 17:52.6. Behind him the Hurricanes packed three runners within 10 seconds: junior Scott McSherry in 21st (18:56.3), senior Elliott Brooks in 24th (19:03.5) and sophomore Leo Snyder Hamalainen in 25th (19:05.4). Jaidin Bennett (33rd), Samuel Ofstad (37th) and Oliver Munn-Campusano (49th) completed the varsity seven.
Kira White (45th), Aria Smith (53rd) and Alyss Carbino (56th) followed Johnson on the girls side. U-32 swept both team titles in Hartford’s division. Last fall the Hartford boys placed fourth and the girls eighth at states.
Coach Dan Talbot was looking for steady running before the season. “The keys for success will be remaining consistent, staying healthy and continuing with the great energy we’ve established in preseason,” Talbot said.
Hartford boys: 8. Elijah Ofstad 17:52.6; 21. Scott McSherry 18:56.3; 24. Elliott Brooks 19:03.5; 25. Leo Snyder Hamalainen 19:05.4; 33. Jaidin Bennett 19:33.1; 37. Samuel Ofstad 20:08.5; 49. Oliver Munn-Campusano 20:51.0.
Hartford girls: 5. Sylvia Johnson 21:27.9; 45. Kira White 26:02.9; 53. Aria Smith 27:49.5; 56. Alyss Carbino 28:21.5; 69. Scarlett Brooks 30:15.5; 70. Emma Davis 32:17.5; 71. Juliette Brooks 34:22.2.
That wraps up the day for Hartford High School sports. We’ll see you next time!