Stefanakos, Spartans roll past Fitchburg
Senior pots 4 goals, adds 2 assists in win
FITCHBURG » New regulations. New field. Same Spartans.
The Oakmont Regional field program has been an outstanding one for the better part of a decade and no amount of rules modifications or even an improved Fitchburg High side could slow the Spartans in the 2020 opener for both sides.
Oakmont used its skill and speed to kick off its fall campaign with a 7-1 victory over the Red Raiders at the Game On complex in Fitchburg Monday afternoon.
Senior Irini Stefanakos opened the season in style, scoring four times and adding a pair of helpers for Oakmont, which moved the ball well in space and showed its prowess around the net. With just seven players on the field due to COVID-19 regulations, the Spartans took advantage of the open space, getting in behind defenders and giving netminder Lily Bray a workout.
“I was happy with the movement today. I was a little nervous with some of the obstacles like the masks and stuff, but they seemed to put that aside and focused on what they needed to do,” Oakmont head coach Leanne Roy said. “They passed well and got the ball down the field today.”
The Spartans ( 1- 0) led just moments into the contest courtesy of a goal from Allyson Foley. The lead grew to 2- 0 on a Sophia Dellasanta late in the first quarter and the visitors never
looked back, taking a 4- 0 lead to halftime after a pair of Stefanakos markers.
“They’re highly skilled and do great inside the circle,” Fitchburg head coach Jennifer Scott said. “Llily Bray did great against a really tough team, especially given a couple defensive breakdowns. We have a few tweaks to make, but what we got from Lily in net was great.”
Bray finished with 11 saves between the pipes.
Fitchburg cut the defecit to 4-1 early in the third as Olivia Tran found
the ball in a scrum in front of the net and poked it past Oakmont keeper Ava Bottone ( 10 saves).
“I know the score might say otherwise, but I think we had a ton of positives today,” Scott said. “We had more shots than they did, but we need to work on our finishing. We had a few defensive breakdowns today against a super- fast opponent, but we can work on that. I was pretty happy with what I saw today.”
Oakmont closed out the win with two more Stefanakos goals, as well as a third- quarter score from Avery Duteau.
“She’s an excellent player and she brings the team up to her level,” Roy said of Stefanakos. “That’s
what makes her an excellent player.”
Fitchburg had chances early on, thanks in large part to the tandem of senior Olamide Bamgbose and freshman Ruby Reid. The two were the catalyst for several breakouts, including a pair of chances that saw Bamgbose denied from in close in the first quarter.
“Olamide is fast out there, a state track champion, and Ruby Reid is just a freshman who is quick and has the skills we need up front,” Scott said. “I think we’re going to be able to put things together offensively this season.”