By Alyssa Goodson -- Daily Sports Correspondent

WINCHESTER — The Apple Blossom festival ended this weekend, but the Handley girls soccer team continued the festivities with a 4-1 win over Millbrook on Monday night.

The Judges avoided a letdown against the Pioneers, dominating the first half and outshooting their counterparts 15-5. Forward Lillie Rupert tallied two goals before intermission, giving her team a cushion and drawing praise from assistant coach Mike Koper, who was filling in as head coach.

"I was very impressed with our girls," Handley assistant coach Mike Koper said. "Usually after Apple Blossom it's like we're in the fourth gear. We're usually relaxed and complacent, but I didn't see that in warm-ups before the game. I was very pleased with the way they came out and set the tone."

Rupert scored her first goal seven minutes into the game. Forward Paula Delmerico turned midfielder Ciara Hockman's corner kick into a shot attempt, which was blocked by keeper Mary Span. Rupert returned Span's block, sending the ball flying into the left corner of the net.

"I was just waiting for any rebounds that were coming out," Rupert said. "Luckily, I was there at the right spot and put it in."

Rupert used her speed to outrace Millbrook's defenders into the 18-yard box 14 minutes later, and shot the ball over Span's head into the middle of the goal.

"Lillie's a sparkplug and she's finally hit her stride," Koper said. "The last five or six games, she's just been phenomenal. She's always had it, but I think she may have a confidence issue before. I think she kind of deflated Millbrook tonight."

Despite being outshot, Millbrook managed to capitalize on one of its first-half attempts to keep the Judges within reach. With 18 minutes remaining, midfielder MacKenzie Witt fought her way into the right side of the 18-yard box and took her shot. Keeper Caitlin Glackin managed to tip the ball, but couldn't prevent it from continuing into the net.

"The second part of the first half definitely swayed more our way," Millbrook coach Keith Kilmer said. "But in the end I was let down. I wanted to see a closer final score. Losing 4-1 doesn't ever feel good."

Persistence led to Handley's third goal of the game 11 minutes into the second half. Forward Annie Carroll made four consecutive shot attempts for the Judges before chipping the ball over Span's head and into the net.

"It was rough," Carroll said. "I just kept trying and knew it would eventually fall. It did, thankfully, and I was glad. I just wanted to try and boost the confidence of the team. After that goal, I think everyone was just ready to keep it going."

Reacting to the momentum created by Carroll, Rupert followed up with another goal to complete a hat trick just three minutes later.

Fighting her way past Millbrook defenders, Rupert nailed a line drive shot into the middle of the goal before Span could react.

"It was nice to have a cushion so all the other players could relax and have fun," Rupert said. "It was hard to get used to playing soccer again after Apple Blossom, but we made the best of it."

Comment on this story | View Comments |