The Westfield High School girls’ lacrosse team has achieved something nine years in the making.
Westfield scored five unanswered goals to cap off a hotly contested, physically challenging dogfight against West Springfield yesterday on a rain-soaked Tatham Field. The Bombers defeated the Terriers 12-8 to secure their first league Valley League title since 2003.
“I am so excited,” said Westfield sophomore Ashlee Owen, who led the team with a hat trick. “It was one of our goals forever. We had to prove ourselves, and we did it.”
Westfield opened the game with three consecutive goals, the second of which came from Owen whose first shot clanged into the right post. The sophomore stuck with the play and eventually found the back of the net.
West Springfield rallied for three straight goals to tie it 3-3.
The game remained tight throughout until late in the second half. Even shorthanded with a one-player disadvantage, Westfield managed to match its largest lead up to that point when Victoria Whalen scored on a transition play.
West Springfield knotted the game at 8-8 with just over eight minutes remaining as a Terrier found an opening past Westfield goalie Victoria Meneses (9 saves). But the Bombers went on a tear over the last 6:15 with one goal each from Owen, Caroline Senecal (2 goals), Ashlee Pechulis (2 goals), and Mary Boudreau, and the defense rose up to turn away the Terriers on every attempt.
“My defense stood up,” Westfield coach Paul Fenwick said. As the game wore on, the defense tightened. Catherine Fenwick was instrumental, taking four charges to strip possession away from the opposition.
“We are getting better,” coach Fenwick said. “Defense is the key. We know we have the offense.”
Mackenzie Macloud, Nikki Beliveau, and Mackenzee Millikan also scored for Westfield (13-2, 11-0).
West Springfield fell to (7-9, 7-3).
