The Rams celebrate after Alex Mello scores the game-tying goal on a penalty kick midway through the second half of a MIAA West Sectional Division 3 Girls’ Soccer semifinal Thursday night at Clark Field in West Springfield. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
WEST SPRINGFIELD – Alex Mello scored a game-tying goal in the second half, and Lydia Kinsman drove home the game-winner with 2:12 remaining in regulation to rally third-seeded Southwick (11-7-1) past No. 2 Wahconah, 2-1, at Clark Field Thursday night, sending the Rams to the D3 girls’ soccer finals.
The game was deadlocked at 0-0 until Wahconah’s Arden McKnight curled in a shot from the near post in the early minutes of the second half.
Southwick responded with Mello’s PK midway through the final half to tie it 1-1. Mello set up Kinsman’s scoring effort with an outlet pass. Mello beat the defense to the ball, and with her left foot, placed it into the side of the net.
Tori Richburg, who made several key saves to keep the game close in the first half, finished with seven.
“Tori made some really good saves to keep it scoreless in the first half,” Southwick coach Todd Downie said. “Thankfully, we just kept working. Thankfully, we were able to bury it.”
Richburg was helped out by her midfielders and defensive backs, led by Krista Girroir, Jordan Goodreau, Rachael Healy, Steph Devine, and Morgan Peterson.
Southwick moves on to face top-seeded and undefeated Granby (18-0-2) in the finals Sunday at noon.
