Gilbert girls topple Terryville

WINSTED — The Yellowjackets girls soccer team put on a dominating performance in their 3-1 hometown victory over Terryville on Monday, Oct. 18. Gilbert took a late first-half lead and built on it through the second to earn the win at Walker Field.

The Yellowjackets went straight to work, applying pressure in the Kangeroos’ end from the opening whistle. Nicole Crossman claimed real estate in front of Terryville’s net and nearly knocked in a header set up by Courtney Hoxie.

Hoxie followed up her near assist with a lightning quick one-on-keeper breakaway opportunity that was called offside just as she was sinking a shot into the back of the net.

Gilbert controlled the game entirely in Terryville’s end, but sent the majority of their shot attempts high or wide.

Crossman challenged the goalkeeper with another header attempt out front that was barely saved. Meghan Dzielak followed up that attempt with one of her own, ringing a shot off the crossbar. Crossman nearly headed in the resulting rebound, but the ’Roo keeper came up with the save.

Gilbert continued winning the little battles and maintained offensive pressure through the end of the first, and it eventually paid off as the Jackets crashed the net. Rachel Wendel sank a bobbled ball for the first goal of the game.

The Jackets nearly added another in the dying seconds of the first as a beautiful play set up Hoxie for a shot that floated just above the crossbar. The Jackets held all the momentum and a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Terryville remained outworked in second, especially around their own net, where the Jackets began to challenge and torment the keeper endlessly. An all-out scrum to score developed in front of the net off a Gilbert corner kick. The Jackets produced at least a half-dozen chances on net that were either knocked away or blocked by the combined efforts of Terryville’s keeper and defense.

Gilbert remained patient and continued to work around the ’Roo net, putting together another strong play that led to the second goal for the Jackets off a shot by Hoxie. Shortly after being sent into the game as a substitution, Carolina Morales took a chance and put a shot on net that hit the corner for the Jackets’ third goal of the day.

Terryville was able to respond late with a goal of their own, but the Jackets held on to claim the 3-1 victory at home. Gilbert improves to 4-5-1 while Terryville struggles at 1-9.