Renegades trounce Phantoms 7-1
TAUNTON, NJ -- The Boston Renegades continued their magnificent offense with a 7-1 victory over the New Hampshire Phantoms at Taunton Sports Club on Saturday afternoon.
The Renegades were ready to play from the opening whistle. Their offensive game finally paid off with a goal in the 9th minute. The Renegades’ center midfielder, Stacey Stocco played a one-two with Bekah Splaine; the Aussie composed herself and struck a shot past the hapless Phantoms keeper.
The Renegades never took their foot of the gas, with wave after wave off attack coming down on the Phantoms. Risley’s team seemed to drop a tempo a little, which allowed the visitors to grab the equalizer. Renegades captain Splaine then rallied her team and the team responded by resuming normal service. With Splaine, Munoz and Rahko raining efforts on the Phantoms goal, with the latter smashing one of the crossbar.
The Renegades’ persistency paid off in the in the 22nd minute, when Maura Robertson crossed the ball into a wide open Sarah Rahko who exquisitely volleyed the ball into the net to restore the home team’s advantage. Stocco was to link up with her Aussie compatriot Munoz to score the fourth goal. Munoz was to get on the scoresheet when she chalked one up just before halftime, after coming away with the ball during a scramble in front of the Phantoms’ net to maintain her goalscoring run.
Debutants Nikki Cross and Kate Taylor came in for the hardworking Caitlin Munoz and Ashley Phillips in goal, respectively. Meghan Welcome was the next to get in on the goalscoring act for the Renegades. Industrious midfield play from Rahko set up the young Haverhill native’s first Renegades goal in the 80th minute. In the 84th minute, Nikki Cross broke down the sideline taking on two defenders then placed the ball past the goalie to earn her first strike fore the ‘Gades.
In the 84th minute, Nikki Cross broke down the sideline taking on two defenders then placed the ball past the goalie to earn her first strike fore the ‘Gades. Stacey Stocco was then to take over the show and grab her third of the game in the 87th minute. With the three strikes, W-League Rookie of the Year 2003 Stocco had announced her return to the W-League stage.
The Australian's three strikes put her just behind her compatriot Munoz on the Renegades goalscoring table. Coach Rob Risley said, “The girls gave a professional performance today, it also set a good platform of play for the girls and it was a great confidence booster for them. Stacy played the way we seen her play last year and to get the three goals was a great result for her.”
For further information on Boston Renegades games, tickets, camps and clinics visit www.bostonrenegades.com or call 781-89-6900.
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