Bombers’ Annie Brozini attempts to outrace a Comp’s Jillian Devlin, right, to the ball Thursday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – Nobody said growing up was easy.
Ashley Rouleau lofted a goal into an open net in the 24th minute to lift Chicopee Comprehensive past host Westfield 1-0 in a high school girls’ soccer game Thursday.
The goal came just seconds after Westfield goalie Jessica Healey made a great save, but Bouleau corralled it about 20 yards away and lofted it over the head of Healey and the backpedaling Bombers’ defense.
Westfield had several opportunities over the course of the game. Nothing materialized.
“That was a tough goal to let up,” Westfield coach Keith Saltmarsh said. “We were playing the way we wanted to play. The ball just didn’t bounce our way … I’m disappointed we couldn’t finish them off.”
Westfield attacked the Chicopee Comp goal, making a solid run at the tying goal.
Kayla Roskey fed Shelby Chambers with a great through ball midway through the second half. Roskey split the Colts’ defense before being cut off and wedged to the outer edge of the goal post.
Westfield’s Karly Diltz, right, gains position against Chicopee Comp’s Natalie Galindo, left. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Katherine Colapietro attempted to connect with Roskey, as well, sending a pass in the direction of the Westfield junior just inside the top of the penalty box. Comp denied the offensive push.
The Bombers also had two corner kicks – one inside the 72nd and 76th minutes – but the Colts’ defense prevailed.
Chambers had the potential tying shot sail wide with 1:39 remaining.
Westfield’s Lindsay Stefano, center, splits the Chicopee Comp defense to get off a shot Thursday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
“We attack, we defend,” coach Saltmarsh said. “We’re just not finding the back of the net. Our attack it good. We’re just not getting the final touches in.”
With the loss, Westfield fell to 2-2 overall.
“I’m optimistic,” Saltmarsh said. “We will still keep on getting better as we face more competition.”
There figures to be plenty of ups and downs with a young squad, but Westfield’s head coach said it is just a matter of building confidence.
“Our young players just need to believe in themselves the way the coaches do,” he said. “We have great moments in games, and young moments in games. That comes with growing together as a team.”
The next test comes Tuesday when Westfield hosts Agawam at 4 p.m.
