RallyNorth.net

Wed, Nov 14, 2007 02:00 PM @ Brooks

Team	1st	2nd	Final
Playoff Game
Westminster	1	0	1
Brooks	0	0	0

Westminster shocks No. 1 Brooks

Thursday, November, 15 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

If defense is indeed the key to winning championships, then upstart Westminster School may be tough to beat in the semifinals and finals of the New England Class A prep school girls soccer tournament this weekend.

Although seeded last in the eight-team field with a 9-5-1 record, the Connecticut school ousted No. 1-seed Brooks (14-3-1) in the quarterfinals yesterday, 1-0.

The Martlets (a bird that, according to mythology, never rests) scored halfway through the first half on one of their few rushes upfield when star freshman Stephanie Piperno made a nice play to get a shot off on the left side and sophomore Laura Gineo knocked in the rebound.

At that point, Brooks coach Bob Morahan knew that advancing to the next round would not be easy.

"They lost five games 1-0, and only gave up seven goals all year, so we knew we wouldn't be scoring a lot of goals," he said. "After they scored, for about 10 minutes, we didn't know how to react and we didn't play well, but I thought we got it back together."

But, after a slow start to the second half, Brooks regrouped and again had the better of the play, which was reflected by the saves by senior Westminster goalie Bethany Dymarczyk. She finished with 16 stops, compared to just five for Brooks junior Britt Hart, and several were from point-blank range.

"We feel our goalie is very good and our sweeper, Corinne Werner, is really solid," said Westminster coach Whitney Jackson. "We felt like the underdog today, but I think that fueled the girls to play a little harder."

Westminster also seemed to have Lady Luck on its side. Senior Monica Berube of Plaistow, N.H., had two good shots on net, one of which hit the crossbar and the other which slipped inches over it. A shot by Andover's Marina Moschitto hit the goal post and landed directly on the line in the closing seconds of play and North Andover's Eliza Marshall had several good attempts stymied by Dymarczyk.

Marshall and freshman Amelia Hammerl had several strong rushes downfield, particularly in the first half, but Westminster always seemed to prevent the finishing touch. "That's just the way it goes sometimes in soccer," said Morahan. "We controlled the play most of the game, but it just wasn't meant to be."

Nevertheless, Morahan, had no complaints. "It's been a great season," said Morahan. "To win a share of the (Independent School) league title, and beat the two teams (Nobles and Rivers) that we shared it with is a great accomplishment."

Moreover, with Marshall, Hammerl (who led Brooks with 15 goals), Moschitto and Hart back, the future looks bright. "I'm excited about next year," said Morahan.

Westm