The JV Rhinos made the trip to Wallingford for this mid-week game ready to face an always formidable Wild Boar team. This picturesque fall day was the perfect setting for Taft's first win of the season. Ashley Kunzelmann opened the scoring at the five-minute mark on a clean-up goal off of a passing sequence from Chloe Meuse and Lulu Brauer. From there, the Rhinos built momentum working on their transition game and communication. Brauer, Bridget Brockelman, Lulu Bradley anchored the midline down the field. This group directed play with their deft dodges, keen field vision, and an ability to connect the center of the field with the offensive line. Taft's second goal came at the 15-minute mark off a leading pass from Brockelman to Grace Tolles to Meuse who popped the ball past the sharp Choate keeper. In the face of the 2-0 deficit, the Choate defense did not relent. In the waning minutes of the first period, they aggressively redirected seven additional Taft shots, as well as two corners. In the final moments of the half Meuse tallied her second assist of the day with a crisp diagonal shot from the top of the circle that Anna Wice deflected in for goal number three. Heading into halftime with the advantage, the Rhinos knew the game was far from over and that the Boars would come out in the second half charging towards goal. Goalie Olivia Karpas (2 saves), with the assistance of Mary Hayes, Caroline Cooper, and Katie Salnikoff restricted Choate's attempts to penetrate the 25-yard zone. Their patient blocks and well-timed passes fueled the many scoring opportunities of the day. During the second half, Taft shelled the Choate defense with shots and corners. The blue-and-gold keeper came up time and again with one excellent save after another. Ten minutes into the second half Lulu Brauer scored with a laser-precision shot of a corner insert from Lulu Bradley. A Lulu-to-Lulu connection! With a solid lead, Taft changed strategies and worked to control their field while also preserving their energy. Two more goals were scored both Chloe Meuse off passes from Lulu Brauer. Taft showed off their skills and their perseverance in this matchup and look forward to seeing Choate later in the season for a rematch. In coming action, the Rhinos will face the Loomis Pelicans on Saturday, 9.28.19 for a home contest on the turf. Go Big Red!