NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - The Taconic girls soccer team scored early and often in the opener against the Drury Blue Devils.

 

Kristen Borelli and Sydnie Sherman each scored two goals while Mariah Pannesco contributed a goal. Taconic goal keeper Jackie Boateng recorded her first varsity shutout as her team earned a 5-0 victory over the Blue Devils.

 

The scoring started early in North Adams as Kristen Borelli received a pass from Jenna Boteman to net the first goal of the game in the eighth minute for Taconic. Borelli wasn't finished though as she scored her second goal unassisted in the 29th minute. In the 40th minute,Sydnie Sherman joined in on the scoring with her first goal of the match just as time expired. The first half ended 3-0, Taconic

 

The second half started with a more competitive Drury team that kept the game close until the 27th minute, when Mariah Ponnesco scored her first goal pushing the lead to four. Then in the 39th minute, Sherman scored her second goal of the match.

 

“It was really important for us to start the season with a win,” Taconic coach Jenna Giardina said. “The girls really stepped up tonight, especially after a rough season last year.”

 

Drury had multiple opportunities to turn the momentum in its favor.

 

 Allie Brassard, the Drury goal keeper, did all she could to keep her team in the game making big save after big save, in scrums in front of the net, while also stopping two breakaway attempts from Taconic forwards. Aubrey Rumbolt also gave her teammates a chance to place the ball in the net with two crosses that went unanswered.

 

 "This is going to be a building year for Drury, with the loss of eight seniors last year and having to fill six starting positions," Blue Devils coach Maryjane Rumbolt said. "We have five key veteran returning players who will have to step their game up to help the new girls coming in.

 

 "With this being our first game, I am still moving girls around to see what position they will work best in. Today’s game showed we have to work on moving the ball better and winning 50/50 balls."

 

Taconic travels to Lee on Friday. Drury travels to Mount Everett on Friday.  

 

More photos of this game here.