Girls soccer: Graycee Richardson’s hat trick leads Oxford Hills past Edward Little

AUBURN — The Oxford Hills offensive firepower was on display against Edward Little on Tuesday, when Graycee Richardson’s three goals led the Vikings to a 6-3 victory over the Red Eddies.

“Our captains are pretty supportive; I have to say a big thank you to them,” Richardson said. “We work well as a team, teamwork, talking to each other, and being there for each other is really important.”

The six goals are the most Oxford Hills (5-2-1) has scored in a game this season.

“The energy, I think it was up today after we scored our first couple of goals,” Oxford Hill’s Ella Pelletier said. “Second half, we came out hard and kept it going. The whole bench was loud and kept us going for those extra goals.”

Edward Little coach Tyler Shennett said the Red Eddies played well in the loss.

“We did execute our plan,” Shennett said. “Something didn’t come off, which was unfortunate, but the girls worked really hard today. Sometimes games don’t fall your way.”

Shennett added that Edward Little did well defensively by clearing the ball out and looking to make the correct pass.

The game got off to a blazing start when Pelletier broke away from the Edward Little (2-4-1) defense at the 25-yard line and slipped the ball past Red Eddies goalie Izzy Jalbert for a 1-0 lead six minutes into the opening half.

“We have been focusing on communication, ball movement and combination plays,” Vikings coach Brittany Moore said. “We were able to maintain possession of the ball and we were able to capitalize on the opportunities we had.”

Not even a minute later, the Red Eddies responded with their own breakaway, on which Gabby Gerry’s shot found the back of the net, tying the game 1-1.

Richardson scored her first goal midway through the half when Pelletier sent the ball into the 18-yard box and Richardson knocked it into the goal.

Richardson gave the Vikings a 3-1 lead one minute later, sending a shot from about 10 yards out into the net.

“I was pretty excited about it,” Richardson said about scoring back-to-back goals. “We really have to stay focused in those moments.”

Avalynn Bowie got Red Little within one in the 31st minute when her shot in the box beat Oxford Hills goalie Maddy Herrick (five saves). It is Bowie’s first varsity goal.

“She normally plays defense for us but has been expressing an interest in playing wing,” Shennett said of Bowie. “She has been working hard at it and today she got her reward for the hard work she has been putting in.”

The second half got off to a slow start. Both teams had corner kicks early on but didn’t generate any offense off them.

Midway through the half, Bayleigh Young tracked down a through-ball and her long-distance shot curled into the back of the net for a 4-2 Oxford Hills lead.

“She has a strong foot and when she takes chances, they are really pretty,” Moore said of Young.

Young almost scored on a similar goal a few minutes later, but Jalbert made the initial save. Jalbert, though, lost control of the ball and it popped out to Richardson, who put home a rebound for a 5-2 lead.

“She has a lot of speed and she believes in herself,” Moore said of Richardson. “She takes those opportunities and normally capitalizes on them. Hopefully, we see more of it this season.”

Chloe Grover chipped the ball past Jalbert (12 saves) in the 32nd minute for a 6-2 Oxford Hills lead.

Gerry responded quickly for the Red Eddies when she put a rebound past Herrick to cut the deficit to 6-3.

“I think Gabby Gerry did well with her two goals,” Shennett said. “She punched one in on her own and then on a rebound that fell to her feet. She was very smart.”