RallyNorth.net

Winchester takes out top-seeded Knights

Wednesday, June, 04 By Steve Palladino
Staff writer

Caroline Barclay felt that North Andover had one more comeback left in its season.

But on this night, it wasn't to be.

"It feels bad now but we went out with a great season," said Barclay after top seed North Andover fell to No. 4 Winchester, 11-9, in last night's Division 2 North semifinal.

Winchester advances to Friday's Division 2 North final, where it will meet No. 6 Georgetown (15-5), at Woburn.

"I had confidence that we would come back, but when we went into our desperation defense in the last two minutes and the ball didn't go our way, I knew it was over," said Barclay who had four goals in the season-ending loss.

Winchester (18-1-2) held North Andover to just two second half goals with the last being Barclay's too-little-too-late tally with 1:35 to play.

"We didn't do as well with draw control in the second half," said Barclay. "In the first half we took advantage of our opportunities."

The Sachems opened the second half with a pair of goals to even the score at 7-7, before North Andover's Kate Kleinendorst (three goals) dashed 60 yards untouched to give North Andover its final lead of the game.

Winchester scored the next four to take an 11-8 lead with 4:39 to play.

"Winchester has such a solid program but we certainly gave them a game," said North Andover head coach Karen Lahey.

Kleinendorst scored with 44 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Knights a two-goal lead (7-5).

North Andover junior Nicole Zahoruiko had the task of defending Notre Dame-bound Megan Sullivan, and limited her to two goals.

Amanda Wescott and Jenn Pino (2 goals) also had stellar defensive games.

"Our coach told us that she doesn't want to see anyone looking down. We have so many young kids on this team and we had a great season. Winning (in the finals) would have been the cherry on top of it all."