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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The Westwood High School girls varsity soccer team traveled to Dover-Sherborn on Friday afternoon for pivotal mid-season matchup with their TVL rivals.
Behind a six-save shutout by senior keeper Anna Varriale, the Wolverines (4-6-2, 4-5-2) earned a big 1-0 victory to remain unbeaten their last three contests (2-0-1), while the Raiders (6-4-2, 6-4-1) lost for just the second time this month.
DS junior forward Alexis Rapo (10) saves a ball from going out of bounds late in the first half.
Hannah Bean had the best scoring chance of the first half for Westwood via a breakaway, but the senior rang the ball off the crossbar with 24 minutes to play. The game remained scoreless at the break.
Alexis Moore drew first blood for the Wolverines with 29:20 to play in the game when the sophomore stole the ball from DS keeper Sabrina Doyle on a clear attempt and potted it home for the 1-0 lead.
Down a goal, DS began to up its tempo and pressure the Westwood end of the field. With about 16 minutes to play, Cerys Balmer fired a shot on cage that went off the hand of a leaping Varriale, off the crossbar, and out of play, just narrowly missing evening the game at one. The Raiders were awarded a corner kick, but the Wolverines were able to thwart the ball from entering the box and made a successful clear.
As time began to wind down, the Raiders brought more bodies into the offensive end in a desperate attempt to even the game at one. With under five minutes to play, Hope Shue crossed a ball towards the frame, and it remained loose on the goal line. However, Varriale again came up big, diving and grabbing the ball before heaving it down the field to escape any damage. Westwood was able to chew out the remainder of the clock and prevail with the 1-0 victory.
Hope Shue (blue) navigates her way past a pair of Westwood defenders late in the first half
Westwood will look to stick to its winning ways when the Wolverines host Hopkinton on October 18, while DS will try to get back on track against Norton on October 19.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0.
