Sports Shorts
by Edd Merritt

Charlotte leads Vermont LAX girls to a national final.
With seven players and a coach all from Charlotte, the Vermont Girls Under-15 team represented its state well in the U.S. Lacrosse Association’s national tournament in St. George, New York. Led by attack Sydney Beldock with 15 goals over the six-game span, the Vermonters topped teams from Houston, Philadelphia, Michigan and Southern Ohio before falling in the finals to a perennial powerhouse from Philadelphia. Sydney was aided by attackers Jane Baker, Jessica Hella and Evie Mitchell; midfielders Kate Razska and Brenna Gorman, plus defender Kyla Williamson. They were coached by Beth Beldock.
Make-A-Wish Tournament splits the Green and the Granite.
While heat prevailed outside, Gutterson Rink started cool until the teams hit the ice. Things warmed up immediately, as is often the case when New Hampshire and Vermont collide. On the men’s end, it was not until the final period that saw New Hampshire pump in six goals before things were settled. Vermont, coached by CVU’s Will McKinnon and Doug Hopper and featuring Charlotte product Brady DeHayes, started well, outshooting the Granite staters 8-4. The third period, however, was the undoing as Vermont was shut out 8-0.
The women fared better. CVU goalie Nicole Bonneau started in net for Vermont, making six saves in her half of the game. As with the men, the game was not settled until the third period when Harwood’s Hannah Martini broke the tie that led to an eventual 3-1 victory for the home team. Bonneau’s replacement, Stowe’s Claire Francis, was called upon for twice as many saves.
Bedard and Socinski take to the links.
Playing on the junior tournament level, Charlotte’s Andre Bedard and Alex Socinski shot well. Bedard tied for second over the Quechee Club Course with a 76. He later placed fifth at South Burlington’s Kwiniaska Club, shooting an 83. Alex Socinski was a spot behind at sixth place on a score of 88.
Wood Wars call upon stamina for American Legion baseballers.
SD Ireland American Legion baseball team faced clubs from around New England and New York in the recent Wood Wars tournament. Despite the fact that many games were played on the friendly confines of CVU’s home field, the young team had difficulty bringing base runners across the plate. Charlotte’s Ryan Machavern was one of its most consistent hitters. He is joined on the Ireland squad by fellow townsman Lawrence Halvorson. They won their second game of the busy season by knocking off Addison County 6-4 before falling to South Burlington 4-0. Sunday’s rain forced a shortened second game against Waterbury. However, it worked in Ireland’s favor as they earned a split, losing the opener 9-3, taking the nightcap 7-4 in five innings.