WESTFIELD – The Westfield United U10 A soccer team got back on the pitch the weekend of October 4-5 and the results were about as different as the weather was each day.
On Saturday, Westfield faced off against Ludlow, who they had played the previous weekend and soundly defeated.
At the start of the game, a light mist started to fall, but by the end of the game it was a complete downpour. Westfield gave up an early goal when a Ludlow player split the defense and was able to get a shot past Morgan Fillion.
Westfield played as sloppy as the weather in the first half and was not able to get its momentum going. The first half ended with another Ludlow goal and Westfield down 0-2. The girls retreated to cover of some trees, attempted to dry off and regain their composure. They came out with better form and Emma Pedro was able to take an excellent cross from Emma Goodreau to one time a ball strongly into the back of the net.
Westfield continued to press with multiple shots on goal, even hitting the frame a few times, but were not able to net the equalizer. Ludlow prevailed, 2-1.
ON, Sunday the sun was shining brightly, and Westfield showed up ready to play, facing an East Longmeadow squad that had given the girls fits earlier in the season with Westfield having to come from behind to win 2-1.
The second time around was a new ballgame as Westfield finally broke through with a left-footed strike from Fillion off a beautiful feed by Milana Camilleri with about 10 minutes remaining in the first half. Fillion retreated to goal for second half, but Westfield continued to mount pressure in the game.
Westfield went on to score three more goals – one each from Rachel Miller (from Camilleri), Camilleri (from Emma Pedro) and Annika Jensen (unassisted).
Westfield was anchored by the excellent center back performance of Sarah Moriarty, who was flanked at times by a trio of different defenders – Alex Cieplinski, Molly Daniels and Abigail Dorunda.
Final score was Westfield 4, East Long Meadow 0. Westfield improved to 6-2-2 for the season.
Westfield will take a break from league play this coming weekend to compete in the Paul R. Cody memorial soccer tournament in Windsor, Conn. They will take on several strong teams from Conn., and N.Y.
Sun., Sept. 28
Westfield 3, Ludlow 0
Annika Jense, Morgan Fillion, and Ava Salvador led Westfield with one goal apiece.
Sat., Sept. 27
Westfield 9, Monson 1
Westfield withstood a barrage of over-the-top physical play from Monson, holding its composure and maintaining focus to put together one of its most complete efforts of the season.
Sun., Sept. 21
Westfield 2, Monson 2
Westfield fielded just seven players in the first half, and eight in the second but still managed to come away with a tie.
Rachel Miller made several phenomenal saves in goal for Westfield, and Abby Dorunda provided a bulldog-like effort, prowling on defense.
