Varsity Insider

After charging out to a 3-1 lead through two periods, the seventh-seeded Redhawks were in command of Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup against No. 2 South Burlington at Cairns Arena.

Robbie Dobrowski pocketed two power-play goals in the second period to give CVU that two-goal cushion.

CVU would cruise into the semifinals from there, right?

Not without a final push from SBHS, a talented and explosive team ready to strike at the drop of the puck. The Rebels fired in two pretty goals for the tie early in the third period (Tom Carlaccini weaved his way through the defense for the first; Alex Bartlett provided the tying goal or a wicked wrister over Mark Albertson’s left shoulder).

Here is where Dobrowski made his mark in the game. With the Rebels pushing for the go-ahead goal, working the puck around in the slot, Dobrowski slid across the ice to block the attempted shot on net.

Just minutes later, Kyle Logan cashed in for the go-ahead goal. Two empty-netters later sealed CVU’s return to the Gut and a chance to defend its crown.

Dobrowski, who recorded his 100th career point in the win, said it wouldn’t think twice about blocking the shot in that situation.

“You gotta take some for the team sometimes; take sacrifices to get the victory,” the junior said.

Ice chips CVU coach Doug Hopper was hoping these two teams could meet at the Gut instead, considering the rivalry. It makes for a tough quarterfinal matchup, but he said, “I’ll still take it.” Hopper went on to praise Bartlett, Carlaccini and other SBHS players for their talent and effort. …. SBHS coach Sean Jones echoed Hopper’s statements. “It doesn’t matter where you are in the standings, you get up for the game against CVU.” … “Guts” was how Jones described his team’s short-lived comeback in the early part of the third period. … Eight seniors graduate from the Rebels team. … CVU is now 7-1 in its last eight tournament games, including last season’s title-game victory.

This year’s Fearless Free Press Football Forecast comes to an end with our picks in Friday’s paper, but it’s time for us to get a little more fearless with our predictions for the high school championship games.

Here are selected staffers’ predictions for the title games and their reasoning behind them:

(Check back later as more of our staffers chime in. …)

Division I

No. 1 Essex (10-0) vs. No. 3 Rutland (7-3)

Kevin Commo: Essex 33, Rutland 20. The Raiders have been there too many times not to make a game of it, but Max Librizzi and the rest of the Essex offense are too explosive to stop, especially on artificial turf.

Alex Abrami: Essex 33, Rutland 14. There’s just too much sting in the Hornets’ attack for the Raiders. Essex’s prolific offense will pull away in the second half, much like the teams’ regular-season meeting.

John A. Fantino: Essex 40, Rutland 10: Max Librizzi has another monster game as rapid-fire Hornets breeze to first title in 17 years.

Mike Donoghue: Essex 35, Rutland 19.  “Air” Librizzi and company are too much in the passing game for any defense.  Rutland coach Mike Norman always has his team prepared for a title game, but it won’t be enough this time.

Division II

No. 1  Colchester (10-0) vs. No. 3 Champlain Valley (9-1)

Kevin Commo: Colchester 19, CVU 7. In a matchup of hard-nosed teams, Colchester’s punishing ground game proves the difference.

Alex Abrami: Colchester 14, CVU 6. By Devon Grammo’s standards, his rushing line in last week’s semifinal win was below average. Grammo’s effort in the final will likely be the difference.

John A. Fantino: Colchester 21, CVU 6: Like it has done much of the season, Colchester jumps out to quick lead, squashing CVU’s hopes of another upset.

Mike Donoghue: Colchester 21, CVU 14. Should be a great game. CHS wants to go undefeated and CVU wants its first title.  Wet weather on grass could make a difference.  The Lakers, winless as freshmen, get it done.

Division III

No. 1  Windsor (8-2) vs. No. 3 Springfield (8-2)

Kevin Commo: Springfield 20, Windsor 18. Back-to-back wins over archrival Bellows Falls show surging Springfield is ready to defend its title.

Alex Abrami: Windsor 24, Springfield 21. Windsor makes up for 2007, 2008 title-game losses with a narrow win over rival Springfield.

John A. Fantino: Windsor 27, Springfield 24: Behind experience and a high-powered offense, the Yellow Jackets avenge last year’s title-game defeat, but by a much closer margin than their regular-season win over Springfield.

Mike Donoghue: Windsor 26, Springfield 14. Windsor has been a bride’s maid for two years, but get it done this time in the battle of Windsor County.  Gavin Callahan is too much for Cosmos.

The Champlain Valley Union High School boys soccer team reclaimed the Division I crown Saturday afternoon.

The Redhawks didn’t win last year — its only missed title chance since 2001 — and like coach T.J. Mead said in the game story, it’s news when CVU doesn’t win.

However, this 2009 squad was a determined bunch, aiming for nothing short of the program’s 16th championship.

The return of Mike Clayton (20 goals) from injury and moving Tino Tomasi back to forward for two playoff games were two important keys for the Redhawks. However, you can’t look past the defensive effort. The defense, anchored by goalie John Milbank, Chris Beaton, Andrew Blake and Co., yielded only six goals in 17 games, including zero in the final seven.

Obviously, its the players that deserve the credit for their play and development. And who was behind that development? T.J.’s younger brother: Nick Mead.

Nick Mead, like his brother, starred at CVU and played at UVM. Nick’s rich soccer knowledge was certainly a benefit for the team’s defense.

“My brother had a real impact on the team,” T.J. said. “Nick has been the person working with them extensively every single practice session.

“Nick takes the goalies and the backs works on shape and formations … all those things.”

Having his brother by his side gave the state title extra meaning for T.J.

“I love having my brother on the sideline with me,” T.J. said. “That made it even more special.”

Readers see our high school football predictions every week during the fall. Well, now that it’s championship weekend, it’s time for the Free Press staff to share some soccer predictions, too. Here are our title-game picks:

(Check back later as more of our staffers chime in. …)

Division I girls

No. 2 Champlain Valley (13-1-3) vs. No. 5 Burlington (9-2-6)

Kevin Commo: CVU 1, Burlington 0. The first goal is bound to decide this one and the Redhawks have more weapons.

John A. Fantino: Burlington 0, CVU 0. Seahorses win the title the same way they did a year ago — on PKs

Alex Abrami: CVU 1, BHS 0. The Seahorses have had the advantage over the Redhawks the last three seasons. However, CVU’s balanced effort is the difference.

Division I boys

No. 1  Champlain Valley (15-1) vs. No. 2 Burr and Burton (16-1)

Kevin Commo: CVU 2, Burr and Burton 0. Redhawks’ defense caps a perfect postseason with a seventh straight shutout.

John A. Fantino: CVU 3, Burr and Burton 1. BBA’s inaugural Division I tour comes to an end against a CVU program hungry for its seventh crown in eight years.

Alex Abrami: CVU 3, Burr and Burton 1. I picked CVU in my playoff predictions. If anything, the Redhawks have only strengthened their case with nearly flawless play, particularly in the semifinal win over BFA-St. Albans.

Division II girls

No. 2 Milton (14-3) vs. No. 4 Harwood (11-4-2)

Kevin Commo: Milton 1, Harwood 0. Championship experience provides the difference in matchup of Milton’s balanced offense and Harwood’s rugged defense.

John A. Fantino: Harwood 1, Milton 0. Highlanders’ 10th shutout of the season results in first title.

Alex Abrami: Milton 2, Harwood 0. Although Harwood knocked off top-seeded Montpelier, the defending champion Yellowjackets have that experience — and the talent — to repeat.

Division II boys

No. 1 Springfield (14-2) vs. No. 7 Missisquoi (10-6-1)

Kevin Commo: Springfield 2, Missisquoi 1, OT. Cosmos’ potent offense prevents Missisquoi from completing upset sweep of top three seeds.

John A. Fantino: Springfield 1, Missisquoi 0. Springfield cools off Thunderbirds with early goal and notches 11th shutout of season.

Alex Abrami: Springfield 3, Missisquoi 1. One of Springfield’s two losses? Division I finalist Burr and Burton. Yeah, I like the Cosmos.

Division III girls

No. 1 Mill River (17-0) vs. No. 3 Peoples (14-3)

Kevin Commo: Mill River 1, Peoples 1 (MR wins in PKs). It comes down to finishing skills as two battle-tested teams prove their mettle.

John A. Fantino: Peoples 2, Mill River 0. Veteran-laden roster + quick-strike offense = title defense.

Alex Abrami: Peoples 2, Mill River 1. An experienced Wolves squad is too much for Division III newbie Mill River.

Division III boys

No. 2 Stowe (12-2-2) vs. No. 4 Winooski (12-4)

Kevin Commo: Stowe 3, Winooski 2. Two years of finals experience serves the Raiders well in a tight game.

John A. Fantino: Winooski 3, Stowe 2: After overcoming three-goal deficit against No. 1 Lake Region, Spartans appear destined to claim first title.

Alex Abrami: Stowe 4, Winooski 2. Winooski has the feel-good story going for them. Stowe, however, owns this division and will show no sympathy.

Division IV girls

No. 1 Arlington (16-1) vs. No. 2 South Royalton (16-0-1)

Kevin Commo: Arlington 3, South Royalton 1. All those matchups with Division III opponents, both in this year’s regular season and past postseasons, give the Eagles an edge.

John A. Fantino: Arlington 3, South Royalton 2. When in doubt, go with the higher seed.

Alex Abrami: Arlington 2, South Royalton 1. I picked Arlington before the tournament started. No reason to jump now.

Division IV boys

No. 2 Sharon (17-0) vs. No. 4 Black River (13-3-1)

Kevin Commo: Sharon 2, Black River 1. The Phoenix cap perfect season by gaining revenge for last year’s finals defeat.

John A. Fantino: Sharon 1, Black River 0. Players on the only unbeaten, untied boys team in the state are smarting from last year’s title-game loss.

Alex Abrami: Black River 2, Sharon 1 (OT). Black River stays on top and beats Sharon again.

The teams at CVU enjoyed quite an afternoon at the Hinesburg campus during Saturday’s homecoming.

Here’s the rundown:

- The boys soccer team raced past defending champion BHS, 4-0, keeping its unbeaten record intact.
- The girls soccer team, a week after tying Colchester 0-0, blasted to a 4-0 win.
- The field hockey squad, the defending champions, blanked BHS 5-0, running its record to 7-0.
- The football topped Middlebury, 7-0, and moved to 4-0 in Division II.

So if you are keeping track at home: CVU teams 19, Homecoming opponents 0.

The phrase, “Not in our house” may be cliche and overused, but the Redhawks used that mantra on Saturday.

Could these CVU teams sweep to state championships later this season? And when you throw the girls XC team in the mix, CVU could own five fall crowns come November.

Scary thought for the rest of the state.

They’re three undefeated teams in Division II football. Two of them will meet in Colchester as the Lakers play host to the U-32 Raiders tonight at 7.

At 3-0, the Lakers possess a dominant running game led by Devon Grammo and complemented by Alex Kozlowski. U-32 (3-0) counters with its own ground assault headlined by Elias LaCount.

CVU also has a unbeaten record in Div.II. The Redhawks face new divisional rival Middlebury (2-1) at home Saturday.

The Essex Hornets take their ‘Air Raid’ offense to Bennington for a potentially high-flying affair with Mount Anthony, which also employs a similar spread formation. The rest of tonight’s schedule.

For high school cross country, there’s only day that matters: the state meet.

While this year’s state championships are more than a month away — Oct. 31 at Thetford Academy — several teams and runners have shined brightly at a pair of early-season invitationals.

Let’s start with the girls:

Essex and CVU are the premier programs. Essex ended CVU’s 5-year reign atop D-I at last year’s state meet. So far in 2009, the programs each have victories at major meets (Essex and BHS invites).

At Burlington, Essex’s impressive pack running out-did CVU’s dependable strategy. The Hornets, led by freshman Rayna Dally, took places 7, 8, 9 and 12, 13. Summer Spillane and Adrienne Devita have been the Redhawks top runners.

Let’s rank them:
Teams:
1. Essex
2. CVU
3. South Burlington
Runners:
1. Hannah Rowe, St. Johnsbury
2. Emily Anderson, Middlebury
3. Jenna Griffith, Colchester

On the boys side, I don’t see much of a challenge for Essex in the D-I race.

Let’s rank them:
Teams:
1. Essex
2. South Burlington
3. Harwood
Runners:
1. Ben Lustgarten, BHS
2. Charlie Klilne, Essex
3. Nick Marshall, MMU

These rankings are subject to change. Give me your thoughts on some up-and-coming teams and runners, particularly in the smaller divisions.

Look ahead: The Manchester, N.H. invitational is Saturday, with Thetford’s Woods Trail Run the following weekend. Those meets bring a heap of talent from across the northeast. Of Vermont’s best, Rowe is the likely candidate to post a victory in one of the elite divisions over the next two weekends.

If you are looking for a high school game to watch today, I recommend CVU vs. MMU in girls soccer.

As mentioned in today’s Big Game in the Free Press, the Cougars are 4-0 — the same wins they had in 2008 — but meet a imposing challenge in 4-0-1 CVU today at the Volunteers Green in Richmond.

Remember, start time is a bit earlier than most games at 3:30 p.m.

The Colchester High School girls soccer team suffered through a disappointing 2-11-1 season in 2008.

Then the playoffs came, and the Lakers reeled off two upsets before falling in a tightly-contested battle with Essex in the Division I semifinals.

The Lakers lost 10 players to graduation, including Kirsten Bombardier and Caitlin Nedde — two midfielders that made our Free Press all-state soccer second team. Then Amanda Brigante and Anna Demasi, two players that coach Jeff Paul expected to suit up for this season, were lost. Brigante to injury and Demasi to prep school.

Those missing players might be setbacks for other teams. Not Paul’s squad, which has a unique blend of talent, youth and chemistry that has them reaching for higher expectations.

“It’s a really young team,” said Paul, whose squad boosts eight sophomores and six juniors. “It’s one of the greatest teams we’ve had here. They are so passionate.”

Through five games, the Lakers are 2-2-1, including a 0-0 deadlock vs. unbeaten CVU.

Of course, Colchester starts and ends with U.S. youth national team member Lauren Bernard, a sophomore. She makes her teammates better players, as Bernard’s former Nordic coach Hank Bechtel said.

Paul mentions other impact players in striker Katherine Morley, sweeper Jenna Weed and Rachel Seaman, the team’s stopper. Morley and Seaman are juniors while Weed, one of Bernard’s best friends, is a sophomore.

A 1-0 overtime loss to BFA-St. Albans on Saturday — two days after battling CVU — points to the Metro/Division I’s parity and strength from top to bottom this season. Whether or not the Lakers can contend for the title this fall, the foundation is in place for the next two years — at least.

Last week, I went to interview coach Kate McDonald and her Champlain Valley Union High School field hockey team for a feature that ran in Wednesday’s paper

When I was talking to Emmaleigh Loyer, one of the team’s better players, I noticed a red welt on a cheek. Naturally, I thought it was a field hockey injury so I asked her about it.

“I was being double-teamed and I got hit with the top of the stick when we were fighting for the ball,” Loyer explained. “It’s alright; a little decoration for school.”

Like many team sports, field hockey is physical and demanding.

“I think everyone thinks of (field hockey) as a little girlie sport where you wear kilts and run around,” Loyer said. “No, it’s not. It’s an aggressive sport where you have to work hard and we do our best to kick some butt.”

Well said, Emmaleigh.