Mari DellaVecchia, Hamilton soccer top Holland Christian in 'coming out party'
HOLLAND - Offense has been difficult to come by for local soccer teams, with all of the local teams loaded with strong defenses this season.
In a rivalry game, goals are even more at a premium.
Hamilton's Mari DellaVecchia made the most of her chances in a rivalry showdown at Holland Christian.
Her two goals in the first half led the Hawkeyes to a 2-1 win over the Maroons.
The teams split games last year, but this was the first known win by Hamilton on the road against the Maroons.
"It is huge. Holland Christian is our biggest rival and coach said it was the first time we beat them on their field," DellaVecchia said.
DellaVecchia scored with 9 minutes remaining in the first half on a nice shot from just inside the box.
"It was huge. It got the motivation going and got everyone focused. They are a very good team and we needed that," she said. "Our defense has gotten so incredibly awesome - and a pro keeper."
Less than two minutes later, Hamilton's Emma-Lynn Gauthier made a huge diving save.
Four minutes later, DellaVecchia pushed another one past the goalie for a 2-0 Hamilton lead, a nice cross from Camaraye Eding, and a quick toe found the back of the net.
"Mari is one of the engines of our offense, but it helps having Joselyn Paskvan and Emily McDonald up there with her. Those three do great things. They created some chances," Hamilton coach Tyler Robinson said. "Mari just has a feel for the back of the net. She is a natural goal scorer and can do it at adverse situations when the pressure is on, like tonight."
Again Gauthier came up big, leaping to poke away a corner kick bending toward the net just a minute later.
"I would call that a 'coming out party' for Emma," Robinson said. "She made some top-notch saves and she gave up no rebounds. She took a major positive step. Our backline. Lauren Brondyke took one off the nose and kept at it. Noelle Wedeven did a great job on Kayla Cannon, who is a fantastic player. Abby Heneveld played great too. Our backline made it easier for Emma, but when she needed to shine, she was there."
Holland Christian goalie Ella Novakowski was strong as well, with an incredible save on DellaVecchia's penalty shot in the second half. She also made a save when DellaVecchia got a close chance and hit the crossbar, but Novakowski poked it away.
Two minutes later, Gauthier stopped another rocket by the Maroons - then another.
The Maroons got on the board with 4:55 to go on a goal by Sarah Geerlings, cutting the lead to 2-1.
But it was a little too late for the Maroons, though they had a few chances in the final minutes.
"We made some mistakes that they capitalized on, and that is soccer. You have to take advantage of your chances," Holland Christian coach Elliot Slenk said.
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In a year where most teams lost their leading scorers to graduation, DellaVecchia has made an early statement, scoring multiple goals against Holland Christian and Saugatuck, two of the top defensive teams in the area.
"I have been focused on seeing where people are behind me and moving around them," DellaVecchia said. "We are super excited. This was definitely a good booster for us."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Mari DellaVecchia, Hamilton soccer top Holland Christian in 'coming out party'
