Soccer (Varsity)
vs. Canterbury School

On Wednesday afternoon, the Walker’s varsity soccer team hosted Canterbury in a NEPSAC Class C contest. The game was back and forth right from the opening whistle, and both teams recorded more than 15 shots on the day. In the end, Canterbury’s goal with 12 minutes left was the difference as the visitors came away with a 4-3 victory.

Walker’s opened the game on the front foot but did not find the back of the net after a handful of chances. Canterbury responded with a goal of their own to take a 1-0 lead in the middle of the first half. Sophie Martinelli ’25 put the home team on the scoreboard about 10 minutes later when she ripped a low shot with her left foot into the far post. Lucie Martinelli ’27 recorded her first assist of the season. The Martinelli sisters have combined for eight goals on the season with each scoring a team-leading four after five games.

Canterbury would take a two-goal lead with back-to-back strikes that were both scrambles in the penalty box after corner kicks. With four minutes before halftime, Walker’s cut the lead in half when they were awarded a penalty kick for a handball. Lauren Krupnikoff ’23 scored her second goal of the season and the score was 3-2 in favor of the Saints at the break.

Ayden Riendeau ’26 has been contributing to Walker’s attack all season with four assists in the opening four games, and she scored the first goal of her Wildcats career less than a minute into the second half. She was persistent against one of Canterbury’s defenders as she stole the ball 30 yards from the goal. She then dribbled toward the top of the box, and her shot caromed off the inside of the left post to knot the score at three apiece.

The game continued back and forth the rest of the way, with Jenna Hamel ’25 adding to her strong season in between the pipes in Ethel Walker’s goal. She would finish with 13 saves on the day, including a couple from breakaways and point-blank range. However, with 12 minutes left, Canterbury scored the game-winning goal after another scramble in the box resulted in a shot from five yards away.

Walker’s will take to the road for their next contest when they take on The Frederick Gunn School on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off in Washington, CT, is set for 3:00 p.m.