WELLESLEY — In a battle between a star-driven Westford Academy squad looking for its storybook ending and a top-seeded Harmony-Carlisle staff riddled with expertise, depth proved to be the important thing to historical past.
The Twin County League matchup that includes No. 6 Westford Academy and No. 1 Harmony-Carlisle in Thursday’s Division 1 state women lacrosse championship pitted two high-octane offenses, however a deep scoring offense propelled the Patriots to an 8-6 win to seize their first state title at Babson Faculty.
Lindsay Cain netted a hat trick within the win as Scarlett Mirak and Karleigh Mutch notched two targets every for the Patriots (23-2). Sarah Fortier’s insurance coverage tally was very important to pulling away within the second half.
“They believed they could do it this year,” mentioned Harmony-Carlisle head coach Erin Money. “They really believed it, and then they made it happen. Nothing was given to them.”
Westford Academy (19-4) rattled off wins over No. 27 Winchester (13-6), No. 11 King Philip (19-5), No. 3 Lincoln-Sudbury (11-10) and No. 2 Wellesley (11-10) earlier than falling simply wanting capturing a title.
Ohio State-bound hockey and lacrosse standout Kassidy Carmichael registered three targets within the loss after catapulting the Ghosts to the finals with a last-second purpose within the Closing 4.
Harmony-Carlisle avenged its 15-13 loss to the Ghosts on Could 6.
The Patriots jumped to a fast 2-0 lead on the 8:35 mark of the primary, catalyzed by a save by Mami Kosicki on a Carmichael free shot on the sport’s opening possession.
From there, Mirak and Mutch discovered twine for Harmony-Carlisle to collect some early momentum. However the Ghosts settled in, and Carmichael couldn’t be stopped.
Responding to the Patriots’ jolt, the senior ricocheted a laser off the proper publish and in whereas on the run to slice Harmony-Carlisle’s lead in half. And after Cain scored on the 3:08 mark to regain a two-goal cushion for the Patriots, the Ghosts evened the rating on extra mastery from Carmichael.
Kiley Carmichael tucked in a slick feed off the stick of Kassidy Carmichael with 2:27 left within the body earlier than the senior took issues into her personal palms with 43.5 seconds left to tie the sport at 3-3.
Her authentic launch on a free shot was turned away by Kosicki, however Kassidy Carmichael barged via a cluster of defenders earlier than selecting up the free ball and diving throughout the crease to complete the second-chance alternative.
Kassidy Carmichael picked up the place she left off within the second, changing on the 8:13 mark to supply Westford Academy with its first lead.
It regarded like that rating would stand till halftime, however Mutch discovered the again of the online with 1:29 left as each groups entered the break in a impasse. The Ghosts landed two high-danger pictures on purpose within the ultimate minute — together with one off the stick of Kassidy Carmichael — however Kosicki stood tall.
The Patriots scored two straight targets to open the half as Cain and Sarah Fortier recorded tallies to supply Harmony-Carlisle with a 6-4 benefit. Mia Cullen answered at 4:07 in what was Westford’s first shot on purpose of the quarter, however Mirak upped the result in 7-5 underneath a minute later.
Cain scored on the 8:20 mark to offer Harmony-Carlisle a three-goal cushion. Cullen minimize the result in 8-6 within the ultimate minutes, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to mount a comeback.
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