by John Osborn ·
Friday, November 22, 2024
Bromfield girls soccer players were beaten 4-1 Thursday night, Nov. 14, by the No. 1 seed Douglas Tigers, ending a late-season winning streak and hopes for a trophy in this year’s Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 5 girls soccer tournament.
Junior Darragh O’Connor scored the team’s lone goal, which came in the final minutes of the game. With the outcome all but decided, the team seemed to gain energy and confidence, and on a fast counter, O’Connor slipped behind the Tigers defense to tap a cross from senior Tilly Fitzgibbons into the net.
In a busy game for the defense, Caroline Ells challenges Douglas for the ball and blocks a shot. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
“It was my last high school game and I just wanted to give it everything I had,” said senior co-captain Fitzgibbons. “I think that kind of brought everyone up, and we all just kind of felt the vibes together. We played for each other in the end.”
Bromfield’s junior goalie, Samantha Prouty, had a busy night with nearly a dozen saves, charging from the net to capture, deflect, or fall on the many Douglas shots sent her way—and with a scraped knee and broken fingernail at the game’s end to show for her efforts. “Be sure to get that on the record,” she said with a smile.
Darragh O’Connor reacts to scoring Bromfield’s only goal in their 4-1 loss to Douglas in the state quarterfinals for division 5, Nov. 14.
Friday’s defeat brought more hugs than tears in the team’s last huddle. After a frustrating winless start to the season and a 1-11-2 record, the team rallied in late October and won its next six consecutive games, making it as far as the MIAA Division 5 quarterfinals for the first time in three years.
“I am so proud of every one of you,” first-year Coach Evan Woodworth told the players as they gathered for some final words. “As we showed out there, it’s all on how we finish. Keep your heads high.” Addressing the seven players for whom this game was their last high school match, he added, “Seniors, it was a pleasure and an honor to coach you.”