10: CVU @ Seawolves (Football; September 16)
It was an amazing atmosphere on this Friday night as the Seawolves played their first home game of 2022 at Munson Field vs. the Redhawks. On display that night, two stellar defenses that kept things evenly matched in the first half. Burlington/SB scored first on a punt return, but CVU answered not long after that and took over in the second half for a 42-20 win. The 2 teams would meet again in the 1st round of the D1 playoff
9: CVU @ Essex (Football; October 15)
Ollie Cheer began the game muffing the opening kickoff and returning it to the end zone for the opening TD. But after an injury to senior QB Max Destito, he became the QB of the future in the Redhawks' run to the D1 state title.
The first half of this one was all CVU and the game seemed out of reach for the Hornets on homecoming night. But Essex, as they have done most of the season, mounted a rally and got within 7 late, but couldn't respond in a 28-21 defeat. Like with the Seawolves before, both teams would meet in the D1 semifinals at Hinesburg. But with their prolific offense led by Cheer and Jack Sumner, the Redhawks would defeat both B/SB and Essex en route to their first state title.
8: Essex vs. Burlington (Boys Volleball Final)
I got to this contest at Ross Sports Center during the third set, both teams splitting the first two sets in their title match. But when I arrived, it was all Seahorses as they took home the state title for the second consecutive year. Taking the third set 25-20 and the final set 25-16, Burlington continued their run as the top boys volleyball team in the state.
7: Lyndon vs. Fair Haven (D3 Field Hockey Semifinal #2)
The biggest difference between the Field Hockey semis compared to the other fall sports was their games took place on neutral sites. D1 was at Middlebury College, D2 was at Burr and Burton (because the Bulldogs made the semis, their game vs. Hartford was at Burlington) and D3 was at South Burlington. In the nightcap, the Vikings and Slaters were evenly matched throughout, both scoring in the first quarter just minutes apart. Fair Haven finally capitalized on a penalty corner in the 4th quarter and their defense held Lyndon the rest of the way for a 2-1 win and a spot in the D2 title game.
6: CVU vs. Essex (Girls Volleyball Final)
If you came into the girls volleyball final between the Redhawks and Hornets at the beginning, you saw a very competitive first set that you'd think would set up for a potential five-set thriller at St. Michael's. If you came in after the first set, the match was a foregone conclusion early in the second as Essex held CVU to 16 combined points in the last two sets for a clean sweep and back-to-back state titles.
5: Windsor vs. Montpelier (D3 Field Hockey Semifinal #1)
When you have two games taking place at the same venue on the same day, sometimes the main event comes out first. On November 1st, the D3 semifinals at Munson Field had that feeling as the Solons and Yellowjackets went into OT in the first contest of the day.
Both teams gave their all in this contest, with Windsor able to tie it up in the fourth quarter, forcing OT. But Montpelier got the ball early in the first overtime and went right to goal. One attempt was stopped, but a long drive towards the net sneaked in for a 3-2 Solons win.
4: Essex @ South Burlington (D1 Boys Soccer Semifinals)
On this night, I was more a spectator than a reporter. I was a biased Essex fan than an unbiased sports fan. But the hype for this game on November 2nd was equally matched as the Hornets and Wolves met in a D1 title game rematch.
The first two meetings were SB wins, but took place at a time when the Hornets were finding their rhythm. After an amazing October, which included a major upset (don't worry, I'll get to that), they finished as the 5-seed and after defeating Mount Anthony in a shootout, made the trip to Munson Field with momentum.
It was a very competitive start for both sides, but Hammad Ali scored the opening goal around halfway through the first half. Cooper Biederbeck equalized on a free kick late in the half and we remained at 1--1 late in the contest. But Ali, who was part of last season's boys soccer team that lost in the title game, scored the winner with 99 seconds left and lifted the Wolves to the state title game. A game of the year candidate and one that those at South Burlington won't soon forget.
3: CVU @ South Burlington (Girls Soccer; September 9)
It was a game the Wolves needed after tying their previous 2. It was a game the Redhawks needed as revenge after losing to SB in the title game last year. It ended up being the best girls soccer contest I was at all season.
CVU dominated the possession for the bulk of the game, but SB was able to get the opening goal late in the first half. The Redhawks continued pressuring on goal for most of the second half, but couldn't get one past the Wolves keepers (the starting goalie left early in the game, but returned in the second half).
Then, just as the buzzer sounded, CVU's Chloe Pecor was fouled in the penalty area and scored on the PK to force OT. About midway through the OT, a free kick from CVU found its way to the box and Zoe Kline scored the game winner. It may have been the closest the Redhawks came from losing a game all season en route to an undefeated, state title season.
2: Essex @ CVU (Boys Soccer; October 19)
The final week of the boys soccer season saw the Redhawks deal with two teams with major playoff aspirations. One was battling them for the top seed in the tournament; the other was the defending champs who were on a roll going into this match. The Hornets and CVU were evenly matched throughout this match, with the hosts finding the post on more than one occasion. The game went into Double OT, where a rebound found the Hornets' Mitra for the game winner and a 1-0 victory. It was the perfect momentum-swinging game for Essex as they looked forward to the postseason. For CVU, it was a loss that made what happened next even more amazing.
1: CVU @ South Burlington (Boys Soccer; October 22)
After CVU's loss to Essex, the Redhawks had to travel to Munson Field for SB's Senior night with more than just a victory on the line. The winner would also secure the top seed in the D1 state tournament. The first meeting was all CVU, but it happened so early in the season that both teams were in a feeling out process early in this contest. The Redhawks were able to get chances on Wolves GK Andrew Chandler, but he was able to make the stops to keep it scoreless at halftime. In the second half, Jackson Adams was able to get SB on the board with about 12 minutes left in the game. A CVU attempt in the box was headed up by a Wolves defender, but instead of going over the post, it went past Chandler and found the back of the net to tie the game.
But in the final seconds, Adams was able to redirect a pass into the net to get South Burlington the 2-1 win and the top seed. The momentum swings and craziness of this contest, especially its finish, makes it the #1 fall high school sports game (I attended)
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