Perfection in the form of a soccer ball floated off Julia Carter’s foot, landing into the far corner of the Sauquoit net. And with a goal that could not have been better, Carter made sure the Waterville girls varsity soccer team also could not have done better in the regular season.
On a rainy, cold night, with the home Sauquoit team celebrating their seniors, Waterville showed up, rallied at the end of regulation and defeated their rivals in overtime 4-2 to win their 13th game and ensure they finished the season unbeaten. Waterville’s regular season record is 14 wins and 2 ties as they head into the playoffs.
Carter’s game-winner followed her tying goal on a penalty kick with 12:24 to play after Sauquoit came back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to lead 2-1. Ella Hutchins blasted a far kick that bounced off the Sauquoit’s goalie’s outstretched hands with 2:20 left in the first half for the early Waterville lead.
With the win and light rain a factor all game, Waterville and Sauquoit played a tight competitive contest, as the home Indians looked to win to even their series mark.
Carter, Anna Beach, Brianne Barnes and Hutchins all had shots on goal in the first 7 minutes, while Waterville goalie Sydney Hajdasz stopped the first Sauquoit shot on goal 12 minutes into the game.
Waterville set up a chance to get the first score when Beach placed a corner kick right in the middle of a cluster of…