Rochester Girls
Are Ranked #1
By Allyson Paquette

Rochester's Molly Harvey gives the ball a high kick despite Sharon's #2 giving the hip check. Lady Rockette Sarah Lanpher is ready in the background. (Herald Photo / Joyce Hunt).

The Rochester Girls varsity soccer team now has an impressive record of 12-1, which puts them as the number one ranked team in Division IV. Rochester had their last regular season game at 4 p.m. Tuesday, against Whitcomb in Bethel. The Rochester team has had an amazing number of different scorers this year. These include Heather Gorton, Sam Cutting, Erica Parker, Libby White, Desiree Bourassa, Kiersten Needham, Jackie Potter, Caitlin Cutting and Sarah Lanpher.

O.T. Win

One of the toughest games this season was against previously ranked number one Black River. The Presidents jumped ahead with a 2-0 lead at half time, but the Rockettes ended with a 3-2 overtime victory. The first two Rochester goals in regulation time were scored by Sam Cutting and Gorton. White put in an amazing one-touch goal off of a beautiful pass by Lanpher. White’s score was just over five minutes into the first overtime.

Goal keeper Jody Martin had another amazing game. The two goals scored by the Presidents were both unstoppable.

Win Over Chelsea

Next up for the team was another challenging game facing the Chelsea Red Devils four days later. This time the opponent scored twice within five minutes of the starting whistle. Sam Cutting scored on a direct kick to get the Rockettes back into the game. Gorton then tied the game with an assist from Cutting. With a 2-2 tie at half-time the fans thought it would be another overtime game.

Thanks to Caitlin Cutting’s goal, with less than 20 minutes left in the game, the Rockettes pulled ahead. Gorton was credited with a goal that Chelsea put in their own net. The Rochester ladies ended on top with a 4-3 victory to make them 11-1.

Being the last home game, it was also Senior Night. Recognized by Athletic Director George Moltz and Coach Sue Clarke were seniors Sam Cutting, Kirsten Domas, Gorton, Molly Harvey, Jody Martin, Parker, and White.  

Last Games

The Lady Rockettes’ most recent game was Saturday, Oct. 14 in Sharon. Although the Rockettes’ usual solid game wasn’t up to their standard, they pulled out a 3-0 win, with all goals in the first half from Gorton (2) and Sam Cutting.

The final game against Whitcomb has no guaranteed outcome; both teams have done incredibly well all season. The last time they met, Rochester won 2-1 in a hard fought game. After the regular season, the Rockettes are certain to be in the play-offs. Dates and times for these games are still unknown.  

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