Mary Anderson accepts the team's Most Improved Player award from Coaches O'Neil and Bonney at the fall sports awards dinner

Magda Blakeson accepts the Allison Lanzetta award, which recognizes determination, hard work and unselfish dedication. It goes to the member of the Girls Varsity Soccer team who has contributed most to the success of the team. These contributions are measured by their strong leadership in practice and games, and most importantly, by their positive influence on other members of the team.

The sun was out but a bitter breeze blew through on Saturday for the VA girls’ varsity soccer team’s game against Kimball Union. The VA girls frustrated every effort KUA put in, visibly shaking them. VA made great triangle passes, which were accurate and controlled, splitting the defenders. Magda Blakeson and Robyn Wilkie were a dynamic duo in the center, depending on each other when they needed support.
On defense, Karen and Marina Porl showed their wheels and shielded the VA net from on-coming KUA offense, while Mary Anderson stayed tough against a much larger team up front. Melinda Prevost safeguarded VA in goal, letting in only two shots mid way through the second half. She made some incredible, heroic saves throughout the game and put in a great effort. Overall, the VA girls fought hard against KUA for an epic last game of the season. The final score was 2-0 with Kimball Union in the lead.

VA hosted a re-match with Tilton on Wednesday. Unfortunately,VA lost, 3-0.

It was a beautiful, sunny day and the Wildcats arrived at the field ready to play. The beginning of the game showed both sides to be well prepared and competitive. Tilton found the net mid way through the first half; they were able to notch another before halftime.

Rejuvenated, VA took the field for the second half and only allowed one Tilton goal. The Wildcats took six shots on net and maintained solid offensive pressure throughout the game. The defense worked hard with offside traps and tight marking. Karen Porl, Marina Porl, Lizzie Mackey, and Robyn Wilkie held their own and fought hard in the backfield.

Melinda Prevost had a busy afternoon in net, making 15 saves. She held her position and made good clears.

Despite the loss, it was a good game for the Wildcats. They showed determination, perseverance and sportsmanship.

VA hosts KUA on Saturday for the final match of the season. We hope to see you on Lucy Field at 2:00pm. 

Saturday was a beautiful, clear day for the VA girls’ varsity soccer team’s game against NMH. The NMH girls started off the game with three quick goals in the first fifteen minutes, and the VA girls had to pick up the pace. Mary Anderson battled it out in midfield while Marta Blazquez put the pressure on as striker. Shelby Johnson stepped up and tapped one in after a skilled serve from Robyn Wilkie. The first half ended with a score of 5-1 with NMH in the lead. 

The VA girls tried to hold off NMH in the second half with five goals, but NMH persisted and notched another 3 against VA. The VA girls worked hard while the sun went down leaving a harsh chill on the field. Melinda Prevost made a total of 14 saves by the end of the game, and VA got 33 shots on the NMH goal, leaving the score at 8-1 with NMH in the lead.

It was a tough game mentally for VA, but they look forward to bringing their best game against Tilton at 2:30pm on Wednesday, 11/9.

The VA Wildcats played at New Hampton School on Wednesday night under the lights. It was a cold, clear night and unfortunately VA lost to NHS 3-0.

The Wildcats came out hard and played a solid first half. NHS converted on a penalty kick that was nicely slotted into the corner of the net. The defense held their ground thanks for efforts by Karen Porl, Marina Porl, Leyte McNealus, and Lizzie Mackey.

As the temperature continued to drop, the Wildcats kept fighting. Shelby Johnson, Emma Hoser, Marta Blaszquez-Garcia, Hayley Teamkin and Madison Cota all put in valiant offensive efforts. Many Wildcats worked hard in the midfield, covering both ends of the field. Magda Blakeson and Robyn Wilkie were determined and tough, along with Mary Anderson, Jordan Wright, and Kathryn Lyle. Unfortunately, NHS found the net part way through the second half with a shot from the corner of the 18-yard box. Soon after, they were awarded another PK.  

Melinda Prevost did a great job of holding her ground in net, making 18 saves. Prevost was peppered with many close-range shots and was responsible for clearing the ball on numerous occasions.

VA looks forward to hosting NMH on Saturday.

Friday’s game was intense as the Vermont Academy girls’ varsity soccer team battled it out against Brattleboro Union High School late in the day. The final score was 0-0. VA had a full audience of parents and support from the JV girls’ soccer team to ramp up the sense of competition.

The girls were excited to get out on the field, and they fought through an epic first half. Mary Anderson put in a strong effort in midfield, Lizzie Mackey and Leyte McNealus stepped up quickly on defense, and Robyn Wilkie made smart plays at center mid. Karen and Marina Porl were a dynamic power on defense, supporting Melinda Prevost in goal.

The tension rose in the second half as the VA girls worked to find the net. Possession constantly went from one team to the other during the second half, and both teams struggled to put one in goal. The VA girls had 11 shots on goal and kept out 8 shots on the home net overall.

The Wildcats fell to Proctor on a rainy, cold Wednesday, 4-1.

Despite the inclement weather, the girls battled hard for 80 minutes. PA found the net early, but Magda Blakeson quickly retaliated off of a corner kick to tie the game. Our opponent broke through the defense two more times in the first half; the teams took shelter in a dugout with the score 3-1 at halftime.

The second half was wet and sloppy, but the VA defense managed to hold PA to only one goal. Blakeson, Shelby Johnson, Emma Hoser, and Jordan Wright generated offensive pressure. Karen and Marina Porl worked hard on defense, along with Marta Blazquez-Garcia, Robyn Wilkie, and Madison Cota.

Melinda Prevost made 12 saves in the goal.

Despite losing to Tilton on Wednesday, 4-0, the Wildcats played a great game.

The first half ended 2-0, but VA was able to generate some threatening offensive situations. Emma Hoser, Shelby Johnson, Hayley Teamkin, and Marta Blazquez Garcia split the Tilton defense with through balls and beautiful crosses. Magda Blakeson, Jordan Wright, Mary Anderson, and Robyn Wilkie worked incessantly in the midfield, stifling the Tilton attack and effectively moving the ball up the field.

Tilton found the net two more time in the second half, but the VA defense was determined and aggressive in their positioning. Karen Porl, Marina Porl, Leyte McNealus, Lizzie Mackey, and Rachel Therrien played hard, and focused on stopping the one Tilton forward who scored all their goals.

Melinda Prevost did another exceptional job in net, making 12 saves and multiple up-field clears.

The Wildcats travel to KUA on Saturday.

The VA Wildcats came out ahead against Dublin School, 7-0.

On a beautiful, warm Saturday, the girls showed up ready to play. Senior Shelby Johnson scored four goals in the first half. Assists came from senior Jordan Wright and junior Marina Porl. The VA defense and midfield did an excellent job of keeping the ball in our offensive end. Sophomore goalie Melinda Prevost was untouched in the net.

In the second half, goals came from Prevost, sophomore Leyte McNealus, and freshman Mary Anderson. Johnson stepped into net, making two saves.

It was a successful day for the Wildcats. The team worked together as a unit and made improvements throughout the match.

VA looks forward to traveling to Tilton on Wednesday, 10/12.

Wednesday was a sunny but windy day for the VA girls’ varsity soccer team to host a game against Proctor. The first half was a difficult beginning for the VA girls, as Proctor knocked in six goals. The second half, VA picked up the pace and battled hard to hold off Proctor, frustrating their efforts and only letting in one goal against goalie Melinda Prevost.

The defense worked on moving the ball up the line, and the offense worked on going to the ball. Overall, the girls made a huge improvement the second half in communicating on field, which opened up more opportunities and different plays. They also worked hard to be first to the ball and pressure the other team if they didn’t win it first.

Marta Blazquez Garcia had some great first touches on ball, and pushed herself hard throughout the game on offense. Hayley Teamkin also did a great job stepping to the ball and giving it her all up front.

The VA Girls' Soccer Team faced Brewster on Saturday. We battled hard despite the cold, rainy weather, players out due to injury, and the soggy field. We worked on stepping to the ball, gaining possession, and communicating on the field. Melinda Prevost started in goal, blocking close range shots and making 23 saves overall. Emma Hoser and Magda Blakeson made a strong effort on offense. Blakeson found the goal in the second half, scoring one for VA. The final score was 9-1 with Brewster in the lead.
The VA girls displayed excellent sportsmanship and perseverance throughout the game and look forward to hosting Proctor on Wednesday.

The Vermont Academy Wildcats lost to New Hampton School on Wednesday, 4-1.

On a beautiful fall afternoon, the two teams battled hard with lots of offensive pressure at both ends.

NHS came out strong and scored two goals in the first half. Karen Porl, Robyn Wilkie, Marina Porl, and Marta Blazquez Garcia held strong on defense, stifling many 1v1 challenges and through - balls.

NHS notched another goal in the second half, but Shelby Johnson found the net late in the game thanks to a beautiful through-ball from Magda Blakeson. Ashli and Emma Hoser also put solid and persistent pressure on the NHS defense. Blakeson, Mary Anderson, and Jordan Wright worked hard at both ends of the field.

Melinda Prevost stopped 17 shots in net, many of which were at close range. Her efforts in the backfield this season are much appreciated.

The Wildcats face Brewster at home on Saturday.

The VA girls’ varsity soccer team put up a fight against Holderness on Saturday. The defense held strong in the first half, allowing only one Holderness goal. VA was unable to generate much offensive pressure early in the game.

Freshman Emma Hoser found the net late in the second half, yet Holderness was also able to increase their lead by four. Despite the score, Karen Porl and Robyn Wilkie anchored the VA defense, playing hard the whole game. Magda Blakeson and Shelby Johnson made big plays up the middle of the field, while Hoser and Ashli Hoser applied substantial second half offensive pressure. Mary Anderson was asked to play all over the field and did a great job making positional adjustments.

Melinda Prevost was busy in goal, saving an impressive 24 shots overall.

The Wildcats look forward to home games against New Hampton and Brewster next week.

The VA Wildcats traveled to Stoneleigh-Burnham School on Wednesday and came home with a third straight victory. VA snuck by SBS, 4-3.

It was a closely contested game as both sides took many shots on goal. Senior Shelby Johnson scored VA’s first goal early in the first half, but this was soon countered by SBS. The teams entered half time tied.

The SBS offense kept our defense busy with their speed and through-balls. Yet, VA kept up the offensive pressure as well, and Johnson found the net again mid way through the second half. SBS had the lead going into the final minutes of the game, but a corner kick from senior Magda Blakeson was deflected in by freshman Mary Anderson to tie the game.

With 10 seconds to go, sophomore Madison Cota played the ball forward to Johnson who found the near corner of the net with a bouncing, spinning shot to make it 4-3.

Melinda Prevost was busy all game in net, making eight saves. All told, VA took eleven shots on the SBS net.

The game was difficult and competitive, but a good learning experience for the Wildcats. With determination and belief in eventual success, VA was able to pull off the last minute win.

Congrats to Shelby Johnson for scoring a hat trick!

The VA varsity girls’ soccer team competed strongly against Deerfield on Saturday, scoring two goals in quick succession in the first half. Both goals were scored by Emma Hoser, assisted by Magda Blakeson and Rachel Therrien. Melinda Prevost defended VA in the goal throughout the game with a total of 13 saves, while VA took 13 shots on Deerfield. VA exhibited a real sense of teamwork and leadership on the field, building confidence in their positions, and solidifying a 2-0 win.

The VA Wildcats traveled to Winchendon School on Wednesday and came out on top,  3-1.  On a humid, sunny day, the Wildcats improved and progressed throughout the game with better attacking, shooting, and distribution.

Junior Robyn Wilkie notched the first VA goal in the first half with a long, high shot from outside the 18 yard box. The assist came from senior Magda Blakeson. Winchendon tied the game in the second half, but the Wildcats were unfazed. Blakeson scored off of a bending corner kick to take the lead. Freshman Emma Hoser added to the tally with a goal late in the game from senior Shelby Johnson and Blakeson.

Sophomore Melinda Prevost made 17 saves in net. Thanks to good positioning and instincts, she stopped shots from near and far.

Karen and Marina Porl were reliable and strong on defense, and Ashli Hoser and Shelby Johnson kept the Winchendon defense guessing.

It was a great first victory, and the Wildcats look forward to playing Deerfield on Saturday.   

The VA girls’ soccer team took to the field on Saturday and used the Play Day as a chance to try a new formation and new positions. The Wildcats competed against NMH, Deerfield, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s School. The competition was steep and it was a beautiful sunny day. VA rose to the challenge and played hard for 120 total minutes.

Shelby Johnson and Melinda Prevost split time in the net and came up with brilliant saves. The field players were busy experimenting and testing positions and tactics; it was a solid and productive learning experience for all.

The Wildcats look forward to Wednesday when they face Winchendon School.

The VA girls' soccer team will kick off the season with preseason camp beginning on September 1st. Many veteran and new players will be in attendance.

The Wildcats look forward to the NMH Playday on September 10.