Wellesley and DS girls fight to draw

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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor

The Wellesley and Dover-Sherborn Regional High School girls varsity soccer teams met on the rain-soaked grass of Farm Street Field on Monday afternoon for a pivotal midseason non-conference makeup game.

DS (3-2-2, 3-2-1) entered off the heels of a tough 3-1 defeat to TVL-leading Medway on Thursday looking to get back on track, while Wellesley (1-3-3, 1-3-2) traveled to DS after tying each of their previous two contests against rivals Needham (1-1) and Newton North (2-2).

After a scoreless first half that featured a hit post by each team and some stellar goaltending on the parts of DS’ Sabrina Doyle (eight saves) and Wellesley’s Ella Cahrl (seven saves), the game began to open up midway through the second when Bella Kogon fired home the rebound of a Olivia Francis free kick to give Wellesley a 1-0 lead.

About 10 minutes later, Alexis Rapo responded for DS by firing home a long-range shot off the far left post and in to even the game at one. Wellesley nearly seized back control of the lead with a loose ball at the goalmouth off of a corner kick, but a game-saving stop by Doyle on Baker, followed by a boot out of bounds by Kate Mastrobuono with the ball sitting on the goal line, kept the game tied at one with under 10 minutes to play.

DS was awarded a pair of late corner kicks to try and break the tie, but each was defended extremely well by the Wellesley defensive corps. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Wellesley will look to gain points in the standings when the Raiders host rival Needham on October 8 while DS will travel to face Ashland on October 4.

For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0.