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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The Walpole Porkers (4-0-1) and Needham Rockets (3-1-1) faced off for the first of two meetings in 2016 on Tuesday night under the lights at Turco Field in their Bay State Conference match.
Despite the Porkers jumping out to an early lead, the Rockets were able to fight back to tie the game in the second half and hold off a furious late offensive push by Walpole to preserve a 1-1 draw.
Christine Murray (No 11) got Walpole on the board early when she smacked home the rebound of a Melanie Weber (No 15) shot from the top of the circle, as the Porkers were up 1-0 and surging out of the gate.
Despite numerous quality first-half scoring chances for the Porkers, Needham goaltender Jenny Tamkin stood on her head and kept the game 1-0 at the half.
Midway through the second half, Needham’s Stephie Vallace (No 20) took a pass from Miriam Troen Krasnowcame (No 2) and flew down the right side. Vallace fired a shot past the reach of the Walpole goaltender to knot the game at one.
After Needham evened up the score at one, the Porkers turned on their aggressive switch in attempts to regain the lead. Tamkin again stood tall and denied the Porkers on multiple scoring opportunities late, allowing the Rockets to hold on for the 1-1 draw.
The Porkers will head to Weymouth tonight while Needham will host Milton.
