BFA-Fairfax's Ava Ardovino makes Vermont high school soccer history

FAIRFAX - When she made varsity as a freshman, Ava Ardovino was determined to break BFA-Fairfax's program record for career goals.

She accomplished the feat in her sophomore season.

When another milestone became truly attainable — 100 goals — Ardovino mapped out the exact date she'd like to hit the century mark: Wednesday at home.

"I wanted my whole family to be here. I had this day planned," Ardovino said.

And the senior didn't disappoint.

Ardovino cracked a landmark few Vermont high school soccer players can claim, registering tally No. 100 with a one-touch finish on a well-worked sequence in the first half during the Bullets' 5-0 triumph over Caledonia United .

Ardovino is the 16th girl in Vermont high school soccer history to reach 100 career goals, according to Free Press records (see below story for the full list).

"I’ve been hearing that and it’s just so much weight," Ardovino said on joining elite company. "But I couldn’t have done this without my team, they really helped. It feels amazing and it’s a great accomplishment."

If Ardovino felt any nerves ahead of Wednesday, Fairfax coach Dom Caforia couldn't tell.

"She’s handled it really, really well. She just kept her head down and worked hard every day in practice and just kept trying to score," Caforia said. "I don’t think the pressure really affected her."

More: Vermont Varsity Insider: Week 4 high school girls soccer power rankings

In the early minutes, Caledonia United goalie Ida Astick denied Ardovino on several point-blank opportunities. But after waves of pressure, the seemingly inevitable chance at history arrived in the 15th minute thanks to Fairfax goalie Mikayla Tobey's big boot.

"Being a good striker she knows she’s going to have another chance. That’s her mentality," Caforia said.

Tobey's kick 50-plus yards bounced to Ardovino, who found Paige Cargill down the right wing. Cargill returned a low cross in front of net and Ardovino hammered it in for her 100th strike of her career. For the season, Ardovino has 22 goals and nine assists for 12-0 Fairfax, the top-ranked team in Division III.

"She’s exactly what you need out of a striker. She’s fast, she’s technically gifted and she can shoot from all over the field," Caforia said. "She’s scored some beautiful goals for us this year, but she also links up well with her teammates. That’s part of her game that doesn’t get recognized a lot, she has a ton of assists."

All-time list of Vermonters who have reached 100 career goals

Note: According to Burlington Free Press archives.

GIRLS

Abby McKearin , Proctor (2012-2015) … 168

Nicole Levesque , Mount Anthony (1986-1989) … 148

Courtney Rohrig , Black River (2005-2008) … 142

Maggie McKearin , Proctor (2018-2021) ... 130

Tracy Guilford , Springfield (1987-1990) … 113

Isabel Greb, Proctor … Proctor (2020-2023) … 108

Mallory Lloyd , Sharon Academy (2013-2016) ... 108

Tess Belnap , Arlington (2015-2018) ... 107

Brittany Pfaff , Rice Memorial (2006-2009) … 107

Katie Stames , Peoples Academy (2010-2013) … 107

Chantal McKeage , Canaan (1996-1999) …106

Christine Perry , Blue Mountain (1999-2002) … 105

Bryn McClallen , Mount St. Joseph (2013-2016) ... 103

Randy Jennings , Northfield (1985-1988) … 102

Brooke Raiche , West Rutland (2012-2016) ... 101

Ava Ardovino, BFA-Fairfax ... (2021-2024) … 100 (*as of Oct. 9, 2024)

BOYS

Eric Maxham , West Rutland (2014-2018) ... 128

Lek Nath Luitel , Winooski (2016-2019) ... 119

Keagan McDonnell , Proctor (2007-2010) ... 111

Everett Mosher , Green Mountain (2018-2021) ... 110

Zak Gillette , Whitcomb-Rochester (2012-2016) ... 109

Erik Vigsnes , Mount Anthony (1981-1984) ... 109

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com . Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5 .

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: BFA-Fairfax's Ava Ardovino makes Vermont high school soccer history