By Owen Ziegler
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
Westwood girls lacrosse’s tense matchup against the number one ranked team out of New Hampshire, Bishop Guertin, ended in a resounding win for the Wolverines 15-7. In Westwoods endlessly difficult schedule, they found themselves in a game against the number one seed from New Hampshire; but the Wolverines were determined to keep their undefeated record and stormed past the Cardinals.
Westwoods elite offensive campaign has been on display, as game after game they racked-up countless goals. Led by Captain Caroline Nozzolillo, who put up 6 goals on Saturday, almost matching Bishop Guertin's total number, along with Captain Cece Thurmond's 5 goals Westwood dominated on the offensive end. But without the help of the defensive this game would have been drastically different. Bishop Guertin's strong offense was put down, paving the way for victory, with a huge save early in the 1st quarter goalie Kathryn Donnellan held the Cardinals to only one 1st quarter goal. At the end of the quarter the score was 6-1, Westwood in the lead and goals coming from Nozzolillo, Thurmond, senior Captain Charlotte Demaio and sophomore Cassidy McMillin.
In the 2nd quarter, Bishop Guerin found their spark, scoring 4 goals, but Westwood tallied on their own two to keep the lead. Both 2nd quarter goals came from Cece Thurmond, along with a beautiful assist from Nozzolillo, both players continuing to cement their status in Westwood lax history. The first half ended in a score of 8-5, the Wolverines in front, but no room to get lazy.
In the third quarter Westwood was able to score another three goals adding to their tally making the score 11- 6 after 1 Bishop Guertin's one goal. At this point of the game the Cardinals seemed to have lost their rhythm, while Westwood amped up the tempo.
Final quarter was the nail in the coffin for the Cardinals as Westwood piled on another four goals to Bishop Guertin's one. Two of the goals came from senior Captain Charlotte Demaio, who continued to cement her vital spot on the team as she kept putting the ball in the back of the net. Is the final horn blasted Westwood came away with the when 15-7, taking out the number one team in New Hampshire and with this win they secured their spot in the MIAA state tournament, with a squeaky clean record they hope to continue climbing the rankings.
