Essex, Rice claim state soccer titles

Rutland High School hosted the final matches of the Vermont high school soccer season on Sunday, ending with Essex taking the boys Division I crown. The Hornets defeated the defending champion Champlain Valley Union team 2-1 in double overtime. Senior Ethan Leo, the school's all-time leading goal scorer, kicked the winning ball into the net with nine minutes remaining in the second extra period. Goalie Jackson Willets finished the game with eleven saves to protect the lead.

The victory continued a trend of late playoff success for Essex. The team had previously beaten Burr and Burton in the semifinals, also in double overtime. Nathan MacMahon scored that game winner with a long-distance strike from forty-five feet away.

In the girls Division I final, Morrisville-Stow Union broke a tie late in regulation to claim its first state title since 2003. Freshman Ashlynn Barrett won the 3-2 game over Burr and Burton with a shot from a corner kick scrum. She scored with about two and a half minutes left in regular play.

Rice High School established a new era in Vermont field hockey on Saturday. The Green Knights defeated Essex 7-0 to capture their third consecutive Division I championship. This win marked the first time a program has won three straight state titles since South Burlington achieved the feat between 2015 and 2017. Rice finished the season with a 16-1 record.

Other division champions emerged across the state. Rice boys soccer won its first Division II title in eleven years by beating Milton 3-2, finishing with a 16-1-1 record. In girls Division II, Green Mountain Valley School in Fayston defeated undefeated Springfield 4-1 to win its first state title since 1992. People's Academy beat Winooski 3-2 in overtime for the boys Division III crown, while Vergennes secured back-to-back girls Division III titles with a 2-0 win over Stowe.

High school football playoffs also concluded their quarterfinals this week. The Burlington-South Burlington-Winooski SeaWolves earned their first playoff win ever, beating Essex 15-7 to advance to the semifinals. Middlebury fell to Mount Anthony 27-21, ending its championship run. In Division II, Colchester defeated Hartford 54-38, and in Division III, Otter Valley beat Woodstock 22-13. St. Johnsbury and Burr and Burton Academy both won their games to remain undefeated.

A late addition to the recent state champions list is the Thetford Academy boys cross country team. The group won the Division III state title at its home course. This victory marked the team's first state championship in the sport since 2018.