West Bridgewater’s historic season comes to an end

WOBURN — All good issues should come to an finish.

No matter Tuesday’s consequence within the Division 4 state semifinal in opposition to Hamilton-Wenham, that inevitable reality was coming before later for the West Bridgewater Excessive women soccer crew.

The Wildcats have been hoping to stretch this system’s longest season ever (Tuesday was the crew’s first journey to a state semifinal) just a few extra days to Saturday’s state last, however that was not within the playing cards. The No. 6-seeded Wildcats fell to No. 2 Hamilton-Wenham, 3-1.

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West Bridgewater’s Kylie Fuller, left, scores a objective throughout a recreation versus Hamilton–Wenham on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

“It simply didn’t fall our manner,” stated WB co-coach Michelle DeCastro.

“We didn’t capitalize on a few of our alternatives,” stated WB’s different co-coach, Kyla Daley. “(Hamilton-Wenham) have been undoubtedly a robust crew.”

Extra: HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER: South Shore state semifinal scores and highlights

The Generals will play top-seeded Cohasset within the Div. 4 last on Saturday at midday at Manning Discipline in Lynn.

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Hamilton-Wenham’s Nora Gamber, scores a penalty kick on West Bridgewater goalkeeper Sophie Roy on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

In opposition to Hamilton-Wenham, WB trailed for a lot of the day. Nora Gamber put the Generals up 1-0 within the 18th minute on a penalty kick.

Extra: HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER: Cat Herman starring out of position for D-4 final-bound Cohasset

Regardless of their finest efforts, Hamilton-Wenham couldn’t clear up WB senior goalkeeper Sophie Roy. She saved the Generals off the board lengthy sufficient to purchase time for freshman Kylie Fuller’s equalizer within the 51st minute.

“They by no means give up,” stated DeCastro of her crew. “They’d that drive. They needed to work collectively for one another as a crew.

“Workforce first was our mentality and by no means giving up, no give up.”

Roy made a number of tough stops throughout that run. All through the day, she was tasked with dealing with 12 nook kicks and 13 photographs on objective.

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West Bridgewater goalkeeper Sophie Roy, makes the save on Hamilton–Wenham’s Claire Nistl throughout a recreation on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

The tie didn’t final for lengthy, although. Within the 62nd minute, Hamilton-Wenham’s Christie Nistl performed a go into the field. Jane Maguire took that go and located twine for the eventual winner.

The clock didn’t transfer when play restarted following Maguire’s objective till after Nistl tacked on an insurance coverage tally about two minutes later.

The Wildcats have been the bottom seed to achieve the Last 4 in Div. 4. Of the 20 semifinalists throughout the 5 divisions, there have been solely two No. 6 seeds, one No. 7 and one No. 15.

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West Bridgewater’s Mya Hebert dribbles previous Hamilton-Wenham’s Kara O’Shea throughout a recreation on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

“We at all times like being underrated,” stated Daley. “We’d relatively be the underdog and are available again. The ladies have grit they usually undoubtedly combat to the top. We’d relatively be the outlier.”

“We knew we have been robust,” stated DeCastro of expectations coming into the season. “We took one recreation at a time all through the entire season.”

The Wildcats will graduate seven seniors — Roy, Eva Adams, Natalie Fredericksen, Arianna Georgantas, Brooke Joyce, Madison Morash and Lindsay Vieira.

“We’ve labored with them, a lot of them, for the final six years or so,” stated DeCastro. “Our captains did a very nice job this yr. We’ll miss them lots.”

This text initially appeared on The Enterprise: HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER: West Bridgewater’s historic season comes to an end