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Boudreau, Broncos break through in second half for 3-0 win

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Oct 14, 2021

Nashua North's Nat Burgess (20) and Alvirne's Elaina Richards keep their eyes on the ball during the Broncos' 3-0 win Wednesday at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Hey, the Alvirne High School girls soccer team didn’t have to work overtime on Wednesday night at Stellos Stadium.

But Nashua North would have loved it if they had.

The 7-4-3 Broncos have played in six overtime games this year and the Titans managed to survive their first half pressure while applying some of their own for a scoreless first half. But junior forward Paige Boudreau scored two goals in the second half and Alvirne left town with its fourth straight win, 3-0.

“I think it was our team dynamic,” Boudreau said of the difference in the second half. “We started working more and moving the ball a lot better, and that allowed us to get more opportunities in the box, and that allowed us to finally finish.”

Boudreau netted her first goal off a great feed from Hannah Sellingham, despite the North defense causing problems 10 minutes into the second half. Sellingham later scored on a breakaway, assisted by Madeline Bertrand three minutes later, and the Broncos were in control at 2-0.

“I think once that one goal went in, they were caught off guard,” North coach Jacqueline Thompson said, her team now 2-11 after its seventh straight defeat that started with an overtime loss to rival South.”And having a young team, they didn’t know how to adjust.

“It’s been a long road for them. Injuries, and adjusting. I thought they played wonderful. Many played positions that they haven’t played, the formation was different. For a young team to be able to do that, I’m extremely proud.”

“We had lots of opportunities, it was just better shooting, better opportunities the second half,” Alvirne coach Jerry Ruigrok said. “At the beginning of the first half, we were playing really well, had tons of shots, couldn’t put one in and lost our momentum there for a bit.”

North had something to do with that. Freshman goalie Nora Ross (six saves) was sharp, got some help from the crossbar and the Titans, led by Kaylee Moore, Ashley Goh, and Nat McInerney, among others, tried to contain Boudreau & Co.

But in the second half, Alvirne broke through. Boudreau got the final goal inside of three minutes left.

“She’s a really good goal scorer, just a terrific shooter,” said Ruigrok, who also liked the play of center midfielder Lyla Davis. “And Hannah’s a real good passer, too.

“Today was probably our best soccer. We’re not normally a turf team, but we did a real good job passing and playing combinations.”

The Broncos have outscored the opposition 11-0 in their last three games. “Hopefully this is back to good soccer,” Ruigrok said.

North has winless Manchester Memorial here on Saturday, and two more games next week to get in gear for next season. It’s a young team with a lot coming back.

“This is just the beginning for North,” Thompson said. “We’ve got plenty.”

And Alvirne is their streak is the beginninng of a nice tourney run. At that point, the games could go overtime and beyond.

“We realize the game’s not 80 minutes now,” Boudreau said. “We’ve got to go past 100.”

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