Injuries Hurt Belmont in 1-1 Draw with Burlington

As Emily Post said, a good host is someone who not only knows when it is a good time to begin a party – never later than 8 p.m. – but also when to send the guests home. A group which overstays their welcome can put a serious damper on the get together.

And in a rare Monday morning soiree at Harris Field, Oct. 8, Belmont High's Girls' Soccer team let a young but opportunistic Burlington High School eleven to hang around for too long and suffered for it, as senior midfielder Katie Han scored with 10 minutes remaining in the contest to hand the Marauders its first tie of the season (7-3-1).

Han's strike – which came at the end of a five-pass sequence with Cate Hoyt providing the final pass – from the 18 meter mark just found enough space between the crossbar and Belmont's senior goalkeeper Maria-Alice Menatas' outstretched glove.

The score nullifed Belmont's goal three minutes into the second half when Maggie O'Brien slotted a perfect pass from the left wing to a streaking Erin McLaughlin who powered the shot off Burlington's goalie Ariana Rivera that broke through to the back of the net.

Belmont was missing three starters to injury including scoring pair Julia Russo and Sara Ramsey. That number increased to four minutes into the game when Gabby Joyal suffered an apparent serious injury that required her to be taken from the field. She did not return to the game.

Despite the injury, Belmont controled the first half with numerous chances that went wanting as Burlington's back line led by Miranda Woods pushed Belmont's shooters outside the 18 meter box.

After Belmont's score, the Red Devils (4-5-3) caught Belmont several times with a speedy counter-attack including one at the 20 minute mark when April Adams outraced Belmont defenders and laid off a perfect pass to a wide open Han who pushed her shot poorly well-wide of the left post.

But Han – the most creative player on the field – made no mistake 10 minutes later.