The weather has taken a great turn for soccer with slightly cooler temperatures. This sunny day witnessed the Taft Rhinos traveling to face the Hopkins Hilltoppers. The visitors wasted no time taking possession and putting pressure on the home team goalie. Midfielders Hollen Spain, Stirling Thompson and Annabelle Shanks helped set an early tone pressing high and distributing the ball dangerously to the forwards. The first of three goals from Sadie Frame came off an assist from a dynamic and motivated Annabel Brawn who helped add to the lead minutes later with a goal of her own which came from nice combination play from Sadie and Charlotte Hanson. The Rhinos are an explosive side when they let their teamwork shine. Sadie and Charlotte each finished off of assists by Celia Torino to give Taft the winning goal and a 4-0 lead. Sadie added a fifth goal off a hard earned penalty kick. Impressively, all of that took place in the first 20 minutes of play. Much to the credit of Hopkins, there was no quit in that team and the Hill Toppers kept fighting. Their speedy attackers kept the Rhinos defense busy. Central defenders Keeley Brooks and Grace Denious work well with their keeper Sarah Elkas and can shut down the counter attack of the best players. Outside backs Margo Kahler and Ellie Perkins intelligent play really kept the scoring chances limited for the Hiltoppers. Hopkins did manage to find the back of the net twice before the half. The second of which was a quality finish from and unlucky bounce on a corner. The Hilltoppers added one more in the second half to bring the final score to 5-3. Taft outshot Hopkins on the day with many players getting involved in the attack. In addition to the goal scorers, Annabelle Shanks, Muffin Prakittiphoom, Clara Ekstein, Stirling Thompson and Hollen Spain all put the ball on target. The Rhinos should be proud of another team effort. We will work hard to prepare to play at Miss Porter’s on Wednesday.