The Bromfield girls varsity soccer team won the most intense game of the season Monday against the Leominster Blue Devils. The game took place under the lights at Doyle Field in Leominster, where the Trojans won 5–3. The win qualified the Trojans for the district playoff tournament.
Sophie Tuchetta maintains control of the ball despite being triple-teamed in an earlier game against Maynard. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Bromfield dominated the first 15 minutes of the game, beating Leominster to the ball and making solid plays into Leominster’s half. Bromfield’s defense turned around Leominster plays by moving the ball up the wings.
The Blue Devils gained possession of the ball in the midfield and kicked it over the heads of the Trojans. A Leominster player ran onto the ball and shot it outside the Bromfield goalie’s reach.
Shortly after the first goal, Leominster made another attempt at the Bromfield net. Senior goalie Meghanne Fitzsimmons dove for the ball, punching it out of the play. Leominster took another shot at the net, but Fitzsimmons was already on her feet for another diving save, thwarting the Blue Devils.
The second half started with a 0–1 score, and Bromfield was determined to gain the lead. Sophomore Chloe Alfieri launched the ball over to the Leominster net from midfield off a free kick. Senior Bridie McNamara received it in front of the net and scored.
The Trojans’ plays built off the positive momentum of their first goal. Sophomore Sarah Moore took a corner kick, and senior Sophia Turchetta played the ball back in front of the net. Sophomore Ashtyn Chipman ran through the ball, placing it neatly into the net.
With the score in Bromfield’s favor, Leominster was eager to regain the lead. Among a myriad of fouls and free kicks, the Blue Devils once again kicked the ball over the Trojans’ heads and scored.
The Trojans answered the Blue Devils’ goal with another goal of their own when Moore received the ball from McNamara, dribbled through the Blue Devils’ defense, and powered a shot into the net.
Leominster scored once again on Bromfield in the chaos following a corner kick. Leominster tried to score a fourth time, but junior Talbot Chipman stepped in front of the Leominster player, kicking the ball out. The Blue Devils were awarded a corner kick, but the ball was deflected out of bounds by one of their own players.
Alfieri started the Trojans’ forward momentum with a huge goal kick to the midfield. After a series of passes, Moore received the ball and passed it off to junior Sarah Doben, who scored.
Bromfield responded with increased intensity in an effort to maintain the lead. Moore dribbled the ball down the sideline and crossed it to Ashtyn Chipman, who passed it to senior Kelsey L’Ecuyer. Her shot hit the mark, scoring the Trojans’ fifth and final goal.
Lunenburg
On Friday Oct. 9, Bromfield faced off against Lunenburg at Harvard Park, coming away with a 7–0 win. Turchetta scored Bromfield’s first two goals. Also scoring in the first half were senior Stacy Nelson, who was assisted by sophomore Jessy Andrews; sophomore Kaitie Sundeen, assisted by Doben; and junior Natalie O’Leary, assisted by senior Carlisle Ferguson. In the second half, Talbot Chipman and L’Ecuyer scored. L’Ecuyer was assisted by Fitzsimmons.
The varsity girls have tough games this week. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, they were scheduled to play top-ranked Oakmont at Harvard Park. And on Saturday, Oct. 17, they will face Groton-Dunstable.
Carlisle Ferguson is a senior at the Bromfield School and a member of the girls varsity soccer team.
