U14 Girls Win NH State Soccer Championship
On Saturday November 14, The Derry Eagles Girls U14 team won the NH state Division II championship. In a tough match up against Portsmouth, the final score was 2-1. After a successful regular season with a winning record of 7-1-1, the girls first took the Div II Granite State League title in a game against Hampstead, with a score of 3-1.
L-R & B-F: Ashley Hugh, Sheilagh Linehan, Emilee Risteen, Tiffany Eaton, Brandi Bonneau, Amanda Hunt Coach Ken Linehan, Eva Murray, Vanessa Hunt, Georgeanne Callen, Kayla Sovie, Haley Psareas, Maggie McCarty, Taylor Comeau, Coach Bryan Hunt, Grace Dipersio, Ritziko Linzi, Laurie Toombs
With this win, on November 7th, the girls were slated next to play for the State Championship against the NH Seacoast League winner.
The NH Soccer Association Championship game was played in Londonderry. The girls found themselves down 1-0 at the half as the driving rain and rain soaked field slowed the pace of the game. Derry was initially unable to gain momentum and use their speed to beat the Portsmouth defense under these conditions.
As the game progressed the Derry Girls started taking control of the game. The girls' ball handling skills and conditioning proved to provide them with opportunities, and they dominated the second half of the game.
Ultimately the match ended with Derry scoring of 2 goals late in the game for a come from behind win for the state title.