By Owen Ziegler
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
On Thursday the 18th, the Westwood Wolverines girls soccer team faced off a tough Dover-Sherborn squad. Despite ending 3-3, the game was full of action as the Wolverines mounted a huge comeback after being down 1-3 entering the second half.
Westwood struck first, just 3 minutes into the game senior captain Izzy Hanson got through on goal from a pass by goalie Sofia Bertone. The ball was launched from all the way deep in Westwoods territory, and just slipped through the Dover-Sherborn defense for an easy one on one with the goalkeeper, that Hanson buried. With high hopes for a favorable result, DS took that to heart, and scored just five minutes later and two minutes after that. This season Westwood looks to the playoffs with an extremely powerful offense, constantly outscoring opponents, with seven goals against Norwood in the previous week. Despite such favorable offensive matchups, the defense is just as strong, limiting 4 of the 6 teams to one goal or less. With 21 minutes left in the half, freshman Cassidy McGovern launched a shot that just missed, but with this pressure, Westwood was able to keep the game in their hands. Just before the end of the half DS extended their lead, ending the half 3-1 in DS’s favor.
At half, Coach Seth Lucash must have said some wise words because Westwood put the pressure on instantly. They finally capitalized with 37 minutes remaining from a beautiful through ball by Hanson, to sophomore Natalie Unger, who smashed the ball past the goalie. With pressure mounting, Westwood kept striking, but just couldn't get one to go. Ultimately, Dover-Sherborn broke free, but a huge breakaway save by Sofia Bertone kept the Wolverines
in it. With that save, Captain Olivia Shea received the ball at half, and passed the ball to junior Lindsey Bannister, who, with an amazing chip shot, flawlessly brought the ball just out of the keepers reach, despite not “ever practicing” that shot, Lindsey says you “just have to trust yourself” in those one-on-one scenarios. With Bannister's goal, the Wolverines forced a tie game that they unfortunately couldn't break free from. A great comeback to earn some points on the table!
