The Taft Rhinos faced a young hard working Williston Wildcats team at home today. Taft set the tone early passing the ball well and earning strong possession. The Taft defense played well and held a high line to keep the pressure on the Wildcats. Captains Leigh Root and Ceirra Ouellette both played forward well to help create attacking pressure knowing they could rely on Kate Vermylen, Whitney Bartol and Grace Denious to close off any counter attack. Halfbacks Sam Ouellette and Muffin Prakittiphoom controlled the center of the field allowing the outside halfbacks Hollen Spain and Margo Kahler to work combination passing to control the outside of the field. 5 minutes into the game The Rhinos struc first with Sam Ouellette taking a ball out of the air to finish with her right foot with a ball delivered from the left from Hollen Spain and Lauren Walsh who was playing striker. The other striker Keeley Brooks added a second score 4 minutes later from a balled fed to her from fullback Ceirra Ouellette. 6 minutes later the Rhinos scored for the third time with Lauren Walsh finishing on a ball from Muffin Ptakittiphoom. Katie Gilland was able to get is some good time today and just missed her own chance to score a goal. Stirling Thompson was fighting to score but also just missed that finishing touch that is about to break out. The second half started like the first with the Rhinos controlling play early. Lauren Walsh was able to score her second of the game before being replaced by Natalie Nejaimes who moved ever closer to getting the strong finish that eluded her today. Her positioning and reactions were good and will lead to good things in the future. Keeper Sarah Elkas was mostly untested today and she kept a clean sheet. Keeper Isabel Cheng came in for her first game of the season and had to face a free position kick from just outside the 18. The Wildcats made no doubt about the finish striking the ball to the upper right of the goal and scoring on their only true chance of the day. Deefield canceled for the Friday game so Taft has some time to prepare for Northfield Mount Hermon for next Wednesday. Go Big Red!