Crowning achievement
Krauss nets lone goal in final flourish
WORCESTER — A dominant postseason run concluded with a storybook ending for the Millis girls soccer team.
Jennifer Krauss provided the lone goal in the 41st minute, while Mohawks keeper Caileen Adams compiled four saves as Millis defeated Millbury, 1-0, in the Division 4 state final yesterday morning at Worcester State.
The win hands Millis its second state title, with the other coming in 2009.
“This is great obviously for every single girl on the team,” said Millis coach Steve Bailen. “The last time we won was 2009 and these girls were just 8 or 9 years old, so for them and for the town overall this is tremendous.”
The loss ends a terrific threeyear run by Millbury, which included back-to-back state titles. The Millis defense, spearheaded by Alexi Vaillancourt, was supreme all through the tournament. The Mohawks (17-22) outscored their postseason opponents, 18-2.
Millis allowed the Woolies within 30 yards of Adams and the net just twice in the second half. Millis enjoyed a 19-6 edge in shots over the Woolies.
Vaillancourt also scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime of the Mohawks’ state semifinal matchup with Amesbury.
The lone goal came in the opening minute of the second half. Jordyn Ferratino fired a shot from the middle that caromed off the crossbar to Krauss, who redirected it into the net for a 1-0 Millis lead.
“Jordyn kicked the ball and it just deflected off the bar to me,” said Krauss. “I knew we needed any goal that we could get, so I thought that could be my chance.”
Millbury had a pair of chances to level the score.
In the 60th minute, a cross from Jennifer Diamond led to a header in front, but Adams picked the ball out of the air for the save.
Four minutes later, Diamond ripped a great strike on a free kick from 40 yards out, but her shot hit off the crossbar and bounced out.
In the first half, the two teams’ rearguards controlled the pace of play. The sides combined for just five shots on net, but Adams and Millbury keeper Gabrielle Hunt (six saves) were more than up to the task.
The only golden opportunity for either side in the first 40 minutes came in the 22nd minute as Millis midfielder Taylor Davis came up with a steal and shot one on net from 30 yards out, but Hunt came up with the save to keep the game scoreless headed into halftime.