TURNER — Leavitt’s Nola Boutaugh wanted to make Saturday’s girls soccer game an unforgettable memory for seniors on homecoming weekend — so she scored the winning-goal.
The junior punched in her unassisted goal with 3:25 left in the game and hand-delivered the Hornets a 2-1 victory over Edward Little on Saturday.
“I just turned and saw the opportunity and just put it in the back corner,” Boutaugh said. “I was thinking about the seniors because they are really excited about their last homecoming, and I really wanted to make it matter for them.”
Leavitt’s Abby Conway boots the ball up field as Edward Little’s Gabby Gerry tries to intervene during Saturday’s soccer game in Turner. Tony Blasi/Sun Journal
Leavitt (2-2) coach Chris Cifelli applauded Boutaugh for trying and learning new positions to make the Hornets’ offense work.
“I think she has been close a lot of times throughout the season, and so being able to having that kind of material reward at the end in such a big moment — hopefully we will see it start to open up for her little bit more,” Cifelli said.
Before Boutaugh could have that opportunity to drill the ball into the top part of the net, the Hornets were working on getting their first goal as they trailed Red Eddies 1-0. Another junior — midfielder Kylee Spugnardi — stepped up and sent an unassisted shot high into the net on a breakaway for the tying goal with 8:44 left in the showdown.
“I saw the shot, and knew I had to take it because we were down one,” Spugnardi said. “I just turned, took it and hoped for the best. It feels really good to know that I was able to tie it up for my team. I am really glad for my team.”
Cifelli said a lot was asked of Spugnardi, who also made the rounds at different positions.
“(Spugnardi) has a nose for the goal and there are number things you just can’t teach,” he said
The Red Eddies (0-4-1) dominated the first half and jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal from senior forward Gloria San Pedro. Senior Brevya Whitman earned the assist on the play.
“I thought at times we played with really good energy and pace — especially in the first half,” Edward Little coach Miles Bisher. “(Leavitt) has some quick players and played the ball over the top, and if you are not wise to it then you will get beat — and that is what happened.”
After a halftime chat with Cifelli, the Hornets were inspired and demonstrated more ferocity in the second half, which led to both goals.
“We made a couple of adjustments at halftime with some of things we were doing and we wanted to take the pressure off,” Cifelli said. “All season we shared the ball really well so we just maybe had to … open up the playbook a little bit to get some different looks …”
Boutaugh and Spugnardi both agree that coach’s talk made the difference in the second half for Leavitt.
“We usually get pumped if we are down and in the second half we always come back,” Boutaugh said.
“I think coach talking to us really pumps us up and gets us ready to play hard,” Spugnardi added.
Goalie Kira Welch, who made some impressive play herself, made six saves and got the win for the Hornets.
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