Panther Proud: Early Season Update
September 14, 2021
Fall sports at TA are in full swing, and the Panthers are making us proud. In soccer, the varsity girls are 2-0-1 after Monday night’s tie game v. U-32. This weekend, in a hard-fought match v. Peoples Academy at TA’s Homecoming, the girls were locked in a 3-3 tie before ultimately taking the game. From Sunday’s “Local Roundup” in the Valley News: “Senior Madi Powers broke a 3-3 tie with her second goal of the game with three minutes to go in regulation on a assist from senior Kiran Black to give the Panthers the win. The teams were tied at halftime, with Thetford getting goals from junior Naima Bolles, Black and Powers.” The girls travel to Lake Region on Saturday.
The varsity boys are two games in (Rivendell Raptors and Peoples Academy) and 0-2. At Rivendell, the Raptors beat the Panthers 5-1 with Elliot Jones scoring the goal for TA. Coach Ray Thorburn commended Boone Fahey for his strong first Thetford varsity start. Goalie Justin Robinson made six saves. The boys had another tough game (5-0) v. the Division III defending champions Peoples Academy this weekend. Coach Thorburn in the Valley News: “We had a solid midfield game but could not break through to the goal. Freshman Hunter Clay had a solid game for us on defense.” The boys will travel to Lyndon tonight.
TA’s cross country teams have two meets under their belt, starting the season at the Essex Invitational before heading to Bellows Falls last Saturday. The Sunday headline in the Valley News read: “Thetford Sweeps at Bellows Falls.” Highlights included Tobin Durham setting the pace in the 5,000 meter, winning with a time of 16 minutes, 45 seconds. Sophomore Ben Mattern came up third (18:24) with Brady Sloop fourth (18:54). On the girls side, Madelyn Durkee took second (20:07) and Annie Hesser fifth (21:55), with Ava Hayden and Charlize Brown also earning to ten spots. Overall the boys took first place with a score of 28; the girls also earning the overall top spot with score of 24. TA will host their first home meet of the season Tuesday, Sept 14 on the Dan Grossman Woods Trail.