Westford Team Wins Championship At Pepperell Soccer Classic

The following was submitted by Alexander Movessian and Noelle Davighi. To submit your own content, e-mail asylvia@westfordcat.org

Saturday, October 10, 2015

As the sun peeked over the tree tops and a cold, gusty wind blew across the fields at the 2015 Pepperell Fall Classic, the Westford Girl’s U12 A team took the field for their last chance to win the coveted U12 cup. The first of three games on Saturday was against the host team, Pepperell. After a slow start and a quick goal by the opposition, the Westford girls soon found their stride, pouring in goals and winning the match 5-1.

Next up were the Townsend Ayer (TAYSA) Thunder GU12A. Once again the Westford girls found themselves down 1-0, this time on a penalty kick goal. This seemed to give the Westford girls the fuel they needed to start a scoring frenzy that resulted in a Westford win over the Thunder with a final score of 4-1.

The final match of the day was against arch-rival Littleton Tigers. Knowing that the Tigers always play them tough, the Westford girls knew they needed to step up their game in order to advance to the Championship rounds on Monday. Stellar defense and goaltending by both teams led to a scoreless first half. Littleton was the first to break through with a penalty kick goal early in the second half. Westford answered by finding the back of the net with a goal to tie it up just minutes later. The game would end in a 1-1 tie which allowed both teams to advance for a chance to play for the Championship on Monday.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Championship Monday brought much more favorable conditions than a few days earlier. Four teams were left – and ultimately one would win the cup. Westford’s first match was against the Spencer Strikers. Ironically, these two teams had met the year prior with the Strikers coming out on top, knocking Westford out of the tournament in 2014. This would be a grudge match and Westford was ready. After a quick goal by the Strikers, Kayley Carignan scored the first of her two goals of the match, followed quickly by a long goal by defenseman Ava Movsessian. The third goal scored by Carly Davey put Westford ahead at the half. Crisp passing from Logan Davighi and solid defense by Kate and Jane Edison, Christine McKay and Abbie Gibson, capped off by one more goal from Grace Carroll, dispatched the Strikers 5-2.

The final game was once again a rematch between Westford and Littleton. At first it seemed as if Westford had the momentum, then it swung back to Littleton. There was no doubt these two teams had come to play and were thirsty for a victory. Goalie Sydney Harding made one amazing save after another, but at the half Westford found themselves down 1-0. Exciting, hard fought action on both sides of the ball proved that neither team would be

conceding victory without a fight. Great passing from Jackie Berk to Tamar Almasian finally allowed Elle Underhill to break free and she scored Westford’s only goal which found its way through the Littleton goalie’s legs.

At the end of regulation the teams went the distance by playing two additional five minute overtimes. With the score tied at 1 all, the tension was palpable as both teams lined up for penalty kicks. First up for Westford was Christine McKay who placed a perfect shot in the lower left corner of the net. Westford leads 1-0. Victoria Princi then lived up to her nickname “The Warrior” by spoiling Littleton’s first attempt to even the score. Elle Underhill was next up for Westford. Carefully choosing her spot, Underhill placed a beautiful shot in the right side of the goal to put Westford up 2-0. Littleton answered this time and although Princi was able to get her hands on the shot, it wasn’t enough and Littleton was on the board 2-1. Westford would miss their next attempt which would bring up Littleton’s final shooter. As the Littleton player looked on, Princi remained poised. Littleton’s shot was a laser which went low left. Princi leapt with catlike reflexes and made a save worthy of her reputation. Final score: Westford 2, Littleton 1.