Breakers Stay Unbeaten with 7–3 Road Win Over Windham Christian

The Pine Tree Academy middle school soccer team remained undefeated in their season, beating Windham Christian Academy 7-3 on the road in a tough game that was closer than the final score indicated. The Breakers are now 4-0 on the season.

Eighth grader Sam Cornish netted four goals, eighth grader Thatcher Trubey added a hat trick of his own, and seventh grader Granten Verrill made big save after big save to seal the victory for Pine Tree.

The Breakers jumped out to an early lead, with Cornish burying a pass from seventh grader Nora Lounder eight minutes into the first half. Trubey then added the Breakers’ second goal three minutes later, before Windham cut the lead in half. The Breakers went into halftime with a 3-1 lead, however, after Cornish scored his second goal with seven minutes left.

Windham gave Pine Tree a scare early in the second half, with a breaking player hitting the post and then blasting the rebound wide of the net as Verrill came out to cut down the angle. Three minutes later, the same player had another breakaway, and this time he got the shot on net, but Verrill was equal to the task, turning the shot away.

Within 30 seconds, Pine Tree took advantage of Windham’s failed opportunities, with Cornish netting his third goal of the game, to put Pine Tree up 4-1. Windham then quickly pulled back to within two goals with a score of their own, before Trubey made it 5-2. But thirty seconds later, Windham responded, scoring another goal, pulling back to within two goals, making it 5-3 halfway through the last frame.

Cornish then provided more breathing room, scoring his fourth goal, to make it 6-3, as Pine Tree would not surrender that margin for the rest of the game, with Trubey completing his hat trick by scoring with 30 seconds left, to put the Breakers up by the final score, 7-3.

The interim was not without drama, however, as Windham’s two fast strikers put constant pressure on Pine Tree’s back line. They had multiple opportunities to make the game closer, but hit multiple posts and crossbars, including on a free kick from the eighteen-yard line. They also had a Penalty Kick with three minutes left in the game, after a Pine Tree defender committed a handball in the box, but the ensuing PK was sailed over the crossbar.

The Breakers no doubt anticipate that they will see Windham down the road again in a potential playoff match, and will have to tighten their defense up to slow down and counteract Windham’s fast and attacking strikers.