RallyNorth.net

Tue, Oct 25, 2016 05:00 PM @ Timberlane

Team	1st	2nd	Final
Manchester Central	2	0	2
Timberlane	2	1	3

Rothwell the hero in semis

Wednesday, November, 30 By Kyle Gaudette

EXETER — Tori Rothwell had a dream a couple days ago that she scored the winning goal to lead Timberlane to the Division 1 championship.

After Tuesday, Rothwell just might drink a warm cup of milk and count sheep every night from now on.

With Timberlane and Manchester Central tied at 2-2 with under 10 minutes left, Rothwell corralled the ball and rocketed a shot past the Central goalie. The goal gave her team the lead, and the No. 6 Owls were able to hang on to upset No. 2 Manchester Central in the Division 1 semifinals 3-2 Tuesday night at Bill Ball Stadium.

“I had a dream like a week ago about the whole play and it came true,” said a smiling Rothwell. “It’s very exciting. It’s all teamwork though. It wasn’t just me.”

Rothwell had actually hit the post on a similar type of shot in the first half when Timberlane trailed 1-0. Given the opportunity to try again though, she didn’t miss the second time.

“I just had a shot at the top of the circle and I took it,” said Rothwell. “When I scored I was just aiming for the net. I wasn’t thinking to much about the shot in the first half. I knew we were going to get it back.”

The goal even put Timberlane coach Mim Ryan in a dreamlike sequence, reminiscing back to 2009 when Rothwell’s older sister Nikki scored a goal late in the second half of the Class L championship game against Pinkerton to send it into overtime. The Owls ended up winning that game, wait for it, 3-2, capping off a perfect 17-0 season.

“Ironically, Tori Rothwell’s older sister scored the winning goal when we played Exeter in the semifinals in 2009,” said Ryan. “Tori said she had a dream about scoring the winning goal. I hope she keeps dreaming all the way up until Sunday!”

Timberlane trailed 1-0 and 2-1 against Manchester Central on Tuesday, but game back both times to tie it on goals by Kylie Fitzpatrick and Sarah Padellaro. It was team-leading goal number 15 for Fitzpatrick.

The Owls were the No. 1 seed and the preemptive favorite last year, but were upset 1-0 in double overtime by Londonderry in the quarterfinals.

This year Timberlane entered the tournament the No. 6 seed, and has used that as motivation. The Owls will need to muster up one more upset, as they take on top-seeded Winnacunnet in the Division 1 championship Sunday at 5 p.m. at Bedford High School. The Warriors won the teams’ regular season matchup 2-1.

“I think we like to fly under the radar and show up and see what happens,” said Ryan. “But I’m extremely proud of the way our girls played tonight. I’m happy to keep the winter gear our for Sunday.”

Pinkerton falls in other semi

EXETER — Speaking of Winnacunnet, the Warriors are a team that Pinkerton must be getting tired of seeing.

The two teams have meet in the past two Division 1 championship games, with the Warriors getting the edge in both matchups.

On Tuesday night they met a round earlier, but for Pinkerton the results were frustratingly the same. The Astros, the No. 5 seed in this year’s tournament, fought hard until the end, but were once again upended by top-seeded Winnacunnet 2-0.

“Winnacunnet did of good job of making their connecting passes and were able to get some great shots and capitalize,” said Pinkerton coach Katie Van Nostrand. “It was the game we wanted our girls to play though. Obviously it wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but they left everything on the field. They played out of their minds and I think it was a game of no regrets.”

Pinkerton had stretches where it controlled play in the first frame, and fought to a 0-0 tie at the half. Winnacunnet increased its advances on offense in the second half, but were repeatedly stymied by freshmen goalie Khaliyah Ellis.

Ellis was sensational for Pinkerton, making 10 saves on the day. The Astros strung together three straight corners midway through the second, but were unable to find the back of the net.

Winnacunnet finally broke through for a goal with 13 minutes left to go when Lauren Alkire beat Ellis after three previously Warrior goals were called off due to penalties. Alyssa Crochetierre scored with two minutes remaining to put it away.

“I’m very proud of them,” said Nostrand. “We were 4-4 at one point this season and not a lot of people thought we were going to make it to this point. That in itself is an achievement and I’m very proud of them.”