Ashlyn Mara outmaneuvers her opponent. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Clara Ames (left) and Margaux Hunt celebrate after Ames scored a goal..
The skills of the No. 22 seed Bromfield girls varsity soccer squad (5-6-7) were on full display Nov. 3 as the team shut out No. 41 seed Greater Lawrence Tech 6-0 on Field 1 at Progin Park in Lancaster. With their victory, the girls advanced to the next round of this year’s Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 4 state tournament.
The girls entered Monday’s match newly energized by their 1-0 win against Littleton (No. 6 in the MIAA power rankings), a team to which they had lost 4-0 just days earlier.
Senior Darragh O’Conner was first to score on an assist by senior co-captain Clara Ames. She was followed by Ames, who scored the team’s second goal on an assist by senior co-captain Ashlyn Mara. Ames then assisted freshman Morgan Smith for a third. Two more goals followed before the end of the half, a fourth by senior Margaux Hunt and a fifth by sophomore Kendall Hebert, both unassisted.
Throughout the first half, Bromfield dominated possession, but during the second half, with some Bromfield starters on the sidelines, Greater Lawrence was more successful in holding the Trojans attackers at bay. O’Conner scored the sixth and final goal early in the second half, assisted by a pass from the left wing by Mara. Bromfield peppered Greater Lawrence with shots on goal for the remaining 30 minutes of play, keeping senior goalkeeper Jannaliss Herrera busy and earning her at least five saves—but none found the net.
There were some close calls on counters up the middle by speedy Greater Lawrence freshman Lailah Paulino, but she was unable to get clear of the Trojans backfielders protecting freshman goalie Caroline Ciaozzo. Greater Lawrence was awarded one penalty kick following a scrum involving Paulino and Bromfield sophomore Ruby Hunt in the penalty box, but Paulino’s shot sailed over the net.
“We had a lot of teamwork, coherency. We had a connection, I would say,” reflected senior co-captain and defender Lainey Irwin after the game. Added Mara, “I also think we all had a lot of energy and had a lot of fun.”
Kendall Hebert (#12) watches her shot make its mark in Bromfield’s 6-0 defeat against Greater Lawrence Tech, Nov. 3.
“We’re hitting our stride a little later, but still well timed,” said Coach Evan Woodworth. “Once they stepped onto the field, even to warm up, they had a different energy than I’ve seen all year.” He added: “ I think beating teams like Littleton and beating teams that have been really tough in the past has really given us a good step in the right direction. And there’s something special with this group,”
On Nov. 5, the girls were headed to Whitinsville for a round of 32 match against No. 9 seed Northbridge (10-2-2), a nonleague Central Mass. Athletic Conference team that Bromfield would be playing for the first time. “It will be hard,” said Mara. “But I think we have a chance if we put our minds to it.”
As as this edition of the Press was being assembled the girls lost 4-2 to Northbridge.
