WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. - For one half on Wednesday afternoon, Hartford boys soccer was right where it wanted to be: at home in the semifinals with a 1-0 lead. Then fifth-seeded Milton took over.
The Yellowjackets scored three times in the second half and beat the top-seeded Hurricanes 3-1 at the Maxfield Sports Complex, ending Hartford’s season one game short of the state championship game.
The loss snapped a 14-game winning streak that began after Hartford’s season opener, a 3-2 loss to North Country. The Hurricanes finish 14-2. They went unbeaten in league play, closed the regular season with shutouts of Brattleboro and Rutland and earned the top seed.
Four days earlier, Hartford looked unstoppable. The Hurricanes routed Lyndon Institute 8-0 in the quarterfinals behind a hat trick from Jackson Jewett, two goals and an assist from Jack Lashua and a goal and two assists from Max Capurso. “We started the game out well with two goals in the first six minutes,” coach Connor Brooks said after that game.
Milton had other plans on Wednesday. The Yellowjackets, who won 3-2 at fourth-seeded Montpelier to reach the semifinals, have now won five straight and improve to 12-5. They face second-seeded Rice in the final on Saturday at 2 p.m. at South Burlington High School.
For Hartford, a No. 1 seed and a 14-game streak made this a fall to remember, even if it ended a game earlier than the Hurricanes hoped.
Other relevant play on Wednesday, October 28:
U-32 0 at Rice 4 Rice shut out U-32 to set up the final against Milton.
That wraps up the day for Hartford High School sports. We’ll see you next time!