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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
So far this season, Westwood High boys soccer holds a respectable 3-4-1 record at home. Playing away from Flahive Field, however, has been a problem for the Wolverines, who are 0-5-0 on the road this season and 3-9-1 overall (3-8-1 TVL).
On Thursday, the Wolverines made the short trip down Nahatan Street to MacLeers Park to take on new-found rival Norwood in a game that both teams absolutely had to have in order to stay on track for the postseason. Unfortunately for Westwood, a strong start by the Mustangs (4-7-1, 4-7-0) was too much for the Wolverines to overcome, as Norwood prevailed by a 4-1 final.
Norwood scored less than two minutes in on a breakaway to claim a 1-0 lead. The Mustangs doubled their lead to 2-0 about 10 minutes later by booting home a loose ball in the box off of a free kick. Norwood brought their two-goal lead into halftime.
Senior captain Mike TeDuits got Westwood on the board less than five minutes into the second half, finishing a ball up high on a cross to make it a 2-1 game and get Westwood right back in it. Anthony Marchand would respond for Norwood, however, unleashing a cannon from about 20 yards out that found its way through a pair of bodies and into the back of the net to put Norwood back ahead by two at 3-1 with 14 minutes to play. As Westwood pressed with extra bodies in the center of the pitch in an attempt to generate more offense, Norwood countered with a fourth and final strike with just under 10 minutes to play, sealing the deal. The Mustangs prevailed by the 4-1 final.
The Wolverines will look to rebound on October 10 at Hopkinton.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
