Littleton ends Southwick girls soccer team’s historic run in state semis, 3-1

LEOMINSTER – After a record-breaking season, the Southwick Regional High School girls soccer team’s historic run has come to an end.

No. 6 Littleton scored two second half goals to knock off 10^th seeded Southwick in the Division 4 girls soccer state semifinal game, 3-1, Tuesday night at Doyle Stadium.

Southwick rallied from deficits in each of its first two state tournament games, forging comebacks against Wahconah and Hampshire Regional before rolling past Georgetown, 4-0, in the quarterfinal round. This time though, the Rams could not get over that hump.

“[Littleton] is a tough team to come back against because they play with a deep sweeper so the balls over the top aren’t going to work,” Southwick girls soccer coach Chris Whalley said. “We made a few too many mistakes offensively and they created a number of chances. …We weren’t playing with the confidence we usually do and if we don’t connect passes usually the more physical team wins the game.”

Three different players scored for the Tigers: junior Annabelle Caouette, sophomore Caroline DeChane, and senior Bailey Kerrigan.

Caouette scored the game’s first goal in the 16^th minute. The Tigers junior took a cross pass from senior Audrey Doyle but whiffed on the first attempt. As the Southwick defense collapsed around her, she quickly settled the ball and tried again, kicking it past Rams sophomore goalie Hazel Olsen.

Olsen, who had a spectacular day in goal, was busy in net from the get-go, turning away nearly a half-dozen shots over the first 15 minutes of the game. Southwick’s backfield also managed to clear the ball on three other occasions in the early going, breaking up two corner kicks and dodging another shot that went wide.

Littleton’s celebration was short-lived, however, as Southwick caught the Tigers napping. Senior midfielder Lorelai Whalley fed a long through ball ahead to freshman forward Livi Gagne, who broke away from the pack and slipped the ball past Tigers senior goalie Vivian Lee for the equalizer with 23:12 remaining on the first half clock.

Littleton went on to have three more corner kicks and several more shot attempts, including a Caouette floater from about 30 yards out that hit the crossbar with just under seven minutes left in the half.

In the 45^th minute, Olsen made a diving save to preserve the tie. The Rams keeper would not be so fortunate on the next Littleton attack when DeChane tapped in a rebound with 35:22 showing on the clock.

Littleton continued to launch an all-out attack on Southwick’s goal. The Rams defense broke up a corner kick. Olsen made a diving save on a free kick that originated from the 24-yard line, sliding on her knees to her right to knock the ball away.

Southwick had one of its best chances of the second half with a corner kick in the 59^th minute. Littleton’s defense cleared the ball.

Littleton went on another fierce counterattack that saw three straight shots just miss finding the back of the net.

In the 64^th minute, Doyle launched a shot toward the Southwick net. Olsen made the save, tipping the ball into the crossbar. Littleton quickly found the iron again in the 65^th minute as a Kerrigan shot hit the crossbar. In the 66^th minute, Doyle struck the crossbar. The ball bounced out to a teammate who attempted a header. Olsen caught the ball for another save.

“She did everything she could to keep us in the game,” coach Whalley said of Olsen. “She made about 10 pretty world class saves.”

Southwick’s luck finally ran out in the 77^th minute. Kerrigan lofted a floater from just outside the 18 that just cleared the crossbar and found the netting, ensuring Littleton a victory.

Despite falling short of a championship berth, the Rams head coach praised his players for their efforts.

“I’m very proud of them to get this far,” said coach Whalley, whose team advanced two rounds further than any previous Southwick team in school history under the current format.

“To do it after losing seven seniors last year, it says even more,” he said. “They worked hard every single day, did video sessions, extra video sessions, and extra training sessions on the weekends. They were fully invested in a successful season, and I think that was the outcome of it. It’s sad to see it over but it was a great accomplishment by these girls.”

Whalley coached several of the players, beginning when they were five- and six-years old on various youth/club organizations before becoming head coach three years ago.

“This group was very close to my heart,” coach Whalley said. “They’re a close group of girls who cared deeply about each other and care about the game so it’s going to be very, very hard to see them go because they are a big part of the success over the last three years.”

The journey was made even more special for the simple fact that coach Whalley got the opportunity to coach his daughter, Lorelai, a senior midfielder, all along the way.

“It’s a very special experience to coach your kid no matter what,” coach Whalley said. “Her three years that she played in high school to be able to be part of the success she’s had, and accomplishments was special for me as her dad and as a coach.”

The run may not be entirely over though as coach Whalley’s other daughter, freshman forward Braelynn Whalley, will return for her sophomore season in 2026.