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October 19. 2012 11:36PM
Goalie Gabby Desjardins, for Central gets up slowly after Bedford scores in the first period and Kelsey Kennedy of Bedford, runs to celebrate, at Gill Stadium in Manchester on Friday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader IPTC)
Central, Bedford tie in tourney prep
Goalie Gabby Desjardins, for Central gets up slowly after Bedford scores in the first period and Kelsey Kennedy of Bedford, runs to celebrate, at Gill Stadium in Manchester on Friday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader IPTC)
MANCHESTER — Bedford came within 19 seconds of defeating host Manchester Central in a rainy NHIAA girls' soccer regular-season finale, but Lindsay Read and the Little Green never quit. It's been their mode of operation all season.
Central's relentless pressure resulted in a golden opportunity for Read, who popped a goal over the head of Bedford's Brooke Barrett in the final minute, and the Division I heavy hitters settled for a 2-2 draw at Gill Stadium on Friday.
The Bulldogs (11-3-2) will likely earn the No. 3 seed behind Exeter and Londonderry for postseason play, which begins with preliminary games on Wednesday. Central (9-3-4), which played its seventh overtime game of the regular season, is heading for the No. 4 or 5 spot.
“Overtime was a good experience for us. We probably played harder in overtime than we did for most of the regular game,” Bedford coach Michelle Winning said. “Central's really tough. They ran through everything and dominated for a lot of the game.”
The Bulldogs, however, struck first in a steady rain. Christina Campbell, on a pass from Jessica Saltzman, beat Central's Gabby Desjardins in the ninth minute. Abby Kokkinos followed with a goal-finding corner kick — officially it was an “own goal” against Central — to give Bedford a 2-0 lead.
Serena Shuter scored for the Little Green in the 27th minute, and Bedford took a 2-1 lead into halftime. Central kept the heat on Barrett (10 saves) throughout the second half, and the freshman had no chance on Read's lofted game-tying goal from 20 yards.
“We definitely played our hearts out,” Central senior Nicole Rust said. “The beginning of the game didn't go very well for us, but we pulled it together. We kept getting stronger toward the end.”
Desjardins (six saves) made a diving stop on Joanna Celli with 4:30 remaining in the second overtime. Neither team felt satisfied with a tie, but at least they both felt ready for the playoffs.
“Half the season's been overtime,” Central coach Peter Lally said, “and the kids don't quit. It's a good bunch to work with every single day. You can't ask for anything more.”
Central's relentless pressure resulted in a golden opportunity for Read, who popped a goal over the head of Bedford's Brooke Barrett in the final minute, and the Division I heavy hitters settled for a 2-2 draw at Gill Stadium on Friday.
The Bulldogs (11-3-2) will likely earn the No. 3 seed behind Exeter and Londonderry for postseason play, which begins with preliminary games on Wednesday. Central (9-3-4), which played its seventh overtime game of the regular season, is heading for the No. 4 or 5 spot.
“Overtime was a good experience for us. We probably played harder in overtime than we did for most of the regular game,” Bedford coach Michelle Winning said. “Central's really tough. They ran through everything and dominated for a lot of the game.”
The Bulldogs, however, struck first in a steady rain. Christina Campbell, on a pass from Jessica Saltzman, beat Central's Gabby Desjardins in the ninth minute. Abby Kokkinos followed with a goal-finding corner kick — officially it was an “own goal” against Central — to give Bedford a 2-0 lead.
Serena Shuter scored for the Little Green in the 27th minute, and Bedford took a 2-1 lead into halftime. Central kept the heat on Barrett (10 saves) throughout the second half, and the freshman had no chance on Read's lofted game-tying goal from 20 yards.
“We definitely played our hearts out,” Central senior Nicole Rust said. “The beginning of the game didn't go very well for us, but we pulled it together. We kept getting stronger toward the end.”
Desjardins (six saves) made a diving stop on Joanna Celli with 4:30 remaining in the second overtime. Neither team felt satisfied with a tie, but at least they both felt ready for the playoffs.
“Half the season's been overtime,” Central coach Peter Lally said, “and the kids don't quit. It's a good bunch to work with every single day. You can't ask for anything more.”
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- Which of the following prospective candidates do you think the Red Sox should hire to replace Bobby Valentine as the team's manager?
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