By Avonlea Cummings
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
On an overcast mid-November morning, fans journeyed across Massachusetts to WPI, where they eagerly awaited the Division I State Championship rematch between the Walpole Porkers and Andover High. With a remarkable 17-1 record, the Porkers held the top seed in the prestigious division, while Andover, the reigning state champions, entered the competition with a 15-2 record and the second seed for the 2023 season. In a fierce battle for the championship title, Walpole secured an early lead that ultimately clinched the championship with a 1-0 victory.
The bleachers were teeming with enthusiastic fans from various locations, all gathered to witness the competition between these two highly competitive teams. As the whistle pierced the air, the Porkers displayed high intensity, swiftly maneuvering around Andover and ensuring precision in every pass onto the field. Despite Andover's robust defense, they proved to be no match for the talent of the Walpole girls, who excelled in every position on the field.
In what initially appeared to be a scoreless first quarter, Walpole gained an early advantage when Izzy Adams capitalized on a pass from Kate Schneider. With less than two minutes remaining in the quarter, Adams skillfully placed the ball into the back of Andover's net, granting Walpole a 1-0 lead.
Head coach Jen Quinn reflected on how scoring the first goal bolstered the team's momentum throughout the remainder of the match.
“That first goal is a huge mental piece, so instead of trying to dig ourselves out it was more of an ‘okay we just have to keep plugging and moving forward’. I think was a mental piece more than everything else so it was definitely nice to score first,” said Quinn.
The remainder of the competition unfolded as a consistent battle on the field, with Walpole asserting dominance in the majority of possessions. Tasked primarily with defending their net, the Porkers systematically sought to keep the ball away from Andover until the final whistle sounded. When the timer signaled the end, the entire crowd erupted in joy and excitement. The Porkers jubilantly rushed onto the field to celebrate their first State Championship win since 2016.
This victory marks the first championship under Head Coach Jen Quinn, who shared her sentiments about adding another championship title to her accolades and credited the achievement to the efforts of the girls on the team.
“I have a few championships, some as a player and assistant coach, but this is my first state championship as a head coach, it’s definitely a different feel but I think this win and my championship as a player are the two most special for me. This has really been them though, and all of their hard work, that’s what it really boils down to,” said Quinn.
