The Bromfield girls soccer team won its first game of the Central Division 3 playoff tournament at home Monday in a 4-0 shutout against Advanced Math and Science Academy (AMSA) in Marlborough. “It was a whole team effort,” said Coach Katie Greene. The win was especially gratifying because last year the girls were knocked out of the first round in a very disappointing loss.
The game started under a warm autumn sun, and less than three minutes in, junior Olivia Kehoe scored the first goal, assisted by senior Sam Schoenberg. “These girls are incredible,” a Bromfield dad remarked to someone next to him. “We’ve got the defense locked down,” he continued, and the girls made good on his comment by continuing to keep the ball out of Bromfield’s half. Sophomore goalie Annabel Ashe was ready, but she was never really challenged.
Bromfield’s Tallie Dutkewych takes a hard shot on goal. (Photos by Kent Boynton)
Bromfield’s offense continued to keep the pressure on and had numerous opportunities to score, but many shots either went over the top or hit the crossbar. With less than two minutes to go in the first half, Olivia Kehoe, assisted by sophomore Abigale Baker, capitalized on one of those opportunities for the second goal of the game.
Many parents commented how great it was to be able to see the score lit up across the field. The scoreboard was donated last spring by Rollstone Bank for girls athletics and is delivered to games by Bromfield Athletic Director Dave Boisvert in his truck.
By the second half, clouds had moved in and “I wish I’d brought my gloves” was the sentiment spreading through the crowd. AMSA came out playing as though they realized their season was on the line. The Bromfield girls knew, too, that their season could end badly if they didn’t put the game out of reach. Sophomore Julia Mara reduced the immediate danger 10 minutes into the half, scoring off a cross by Olivia Kehoe. Mothers of the players celebrated the goal, waving bright blue pompoms.
Olivia Kehoe uses a side foot kick to score the final goal in Bromfield’s victory over Math and Science.
AMSA came back with a breakaway that was quickly stopped by Bromfield’s strong defense, which never quit. With 14 minutes remaining in the game, Bella Kehoe placed the ball perfectly over the heads of the defenders into space, leaving her twin one-on-one with the goalie to score her third goal and the final one of the game. “It’s all about timing and position,” commented a parent.
Bromfield continued to take its shots on goal. The AMSA goalie caught a couple, but most, as in the first half, went over the top. As both teams ran off the field at the end of the game, horns sounded from cars where parents had retreated to keep warm. Parents standing in a group offered comments on the game: “So excited for them.” “They played great as a team. There was lots of passing.”
Coach Greene was beaming: “I am so proud of them. They played a full 80 minutes. It was a whole team effort. Getting a shutout was important to us moving forward.”
Bromfield faces Quabbin Regional High School Thursday, Nov. 7, in the quarterfinal. Time and location will be announced. “It will be a good battle,” Greene said. “They’re a good team, but we’re a really good team.”
