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Gulbrandsen exits goal,lifts Hillies to tie

WEST NEWBURY  —  Senior Meghan Gulbrandsen may not be a dual threat, but she showed that she's a dual talent yesterday as the Haverhill girls soccer team opened their season witha 2-2 tie against Pentucket.

A two-year starting goalie, Gulbrandsen made several excellent saves in the first half that, when Rhiana Waterman scored with just seconds left before intermission, ended in a 1-1 tie.

Then, when Pentucket took a 2-1 lead, Haverhill coach Fred Tarbox put Waterman in at forward and she responded with the tying goal.

"I really think Gulbrandsen is one of the best goalies in the state, but she's great in the field, too," said Tarbox. "I'll probably be doing that a lot — putting her in the field — if we're not winning."

Hope Worcester relieved Gulbrandsen in goal and played well for the Hillies and Jasmine Hussein was outstanding at sweeper.

"It was a tough opening game against a good team," said Tarbox.

For Pentucket, Haley DesRosiers and Leigh McNamara scored the goals and Sam Bomba — also a fine goalie — had seven saves.

"It was a physical game and a great way to open the season," said Pentucket coach Greg Scruton.

Goals: H — Rhianna Waterman, Meghan Gulbrandsen; P — Haley Desrosiers, Leigh McNamara

Assists: H — Erika Pratti, Kelleigh Cokely; P — McNamara, Colleen Killian

Saves: H — Gulbrandsen 6, Hope Worcester 3; P — Sam Bomba 7