Southwick girls soccer falls to Littleton in D-IV state semifinals

LEOMINSTER ‐ Southwick made program history with its semifinal appearance in the Division IV state tournament this fall.

The Final Four appearance was the first in the school’s history.

However, the team’s historic run as the No. 10 seed came to an end at Doyle Field in Leominster on Tuesday, falling to No. 6 Littleton, 3-1.

“I’m very proud of them to get this far, which is two rounds further than any other Southwick girls team in history. It is a major accomplishment, and to do it after losing seven seniors last year, says even more,” Rams coach Chris Whalley said.

“They worked hard every single day. We did video sessions, extra video sessions, extra training sessions on the weekends. They were fully invested into a successful season… it was a great accomplishment by these girls,” Whalley added.

Despite the two-goal deficit that the final score showed, the Rams had the game tied, 1-1, at halftime, and gave themselves an equal chance at winning the game.

At the 16th minute mark, the Tigers struck first, as Audrey Doyle passed the ball in front of Southwick’s net, locating an unmarked Annabelle Caouette.

Caouette bobbled the pass, but recovered and made a second effort shot that rolled past Rams’ goalkeeper, Hazel Olsen.

Southwick responded right away. Only a minute later, Olivia Gagne received a through ball from Lorelai Whalley and charged up field.

Gagne’s speed helped her get past two Tigers defenders that crowded her space and she buried the ball behind Littleton’s Vivian Lee in net for the equalizer.

With the game tied at 1-1 at the half, the Rams took a breath after a competitive first half.

The Tigers were unrelenting on Southwick’s goal, firing 10 shots its way, and continued to pressure the Rams back field.

Olsen made six saves of her 11 total in just in the first half, including a leaping save where the sophomore stuck out one glove above her head to bat the ball away.

Yet, compared to the Littleton’s offensive pressure, Southwick did not produce that same success. The Rams only had two shots on goal in the first half and relied more on breakaway attempts, rather than sustained offensive control.

Chris Whalley noted that the Tigers switched up their defensive plan following Southwick’s goal and marked up Lorelai Whalley after her assist, leaving other players on their offense free.

This helped even out the offenses, as the Rams adjusted in the second half and had more than double the amount of shots they had in the first, but they could not capitalize on any to score again.

As for Littleton, the team found the net again not long after the halftime break. At the 45th minute mark, Olsen deflected a shot, but as the ball bounced back into play, it landed at the feet of Caroline DeChane for the score and the 2-1 lead.

Southwick now faced a deficit, but continued on its offensive attack to try and produce scoring opportunities. From sending the ball towards the net from midfield, to crosses from the corners, the Rams did not give up their attempts for the game tying goal.

“They’re a tough team to come back (against) because they play as a deep sweeper,” Whalley said. “So the balls over the top aren’t going to work and we had to be better with connecting our passes today… We weren’t playing with the confidence that we usually do.”

On the other end, Olsen and many Southwick defenders helped maintain the one score game.

Olsen continued to rack up saves, as they were sent in as high shots over her head or even as a header at the goal line.

“(Olsen) was fantastic tonight,” Whalley said. “She did everything she could to keep us in the game.”

While the sophomore made key saves to keep the Tigers at bay, the defense also came in clutch.

Captain Avery Burkholder, Michaela Masciadrelli and Brenna Lemieux all chased down Littleton attackers on multiple occasions and either took over possession or knocked the ball out of play to help reset their defense.

While the Rams went back and forth with the Tigers, they failed to find a way to even out the score.

Then with two minutes left in regulation, Littleton iced the game with a goal by Bailey Kerrigan, securing the 3-1 final.

With the win, the Tigers will face No. 1 Sutton for the Div. IV state title.

After its three postseason wins in the state tournament, Southwick’s season closes with a final record of 16-4-2.

Following the end of the season, the Rams bid farwell to seven seniors, including captains Gianna Masciadrelli, Burkholder, and Lorelai Whalley, as well as Tamia Ortiz, Ava Healey, Isabella Faria and Alyssa Hanifan.

“They’re a special group… but this group, I actually coached when they were little, so this group’s very close to my heart,” Whalley said. “They’re a close group of girls that care deeply about each other. So it’s going to be very, very hard and sad to see them go because they are a big part of the success over the last three years.”