RallyNorth.net

Oliver Ames should be a tough test for Falcons

Wednesday, November, 14 By Nick Turczak
Staff writer

Oliver Ames High School. That is the obstacle that stands between the Danvers' girls soccer team and a trip to the Division 2 state finals.

The Division 2 South champions from Oliver Ames (20-1-1) will face the Division 2 North champion Falcons (19-3) tonight at Veterans Memorial Field in Quincy at 7 p.m. for the right to advance to Saturday's Division 2 state championship game.

Oliver Ames, a school based in Easton (just outside of Brockton), appears to be a defensive juggernaut on the soccer pitch. In fact, the Tigers' dominance in their own end could draw comparisons to the great defense of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens during their Super Bowl season.

How good is Oliver Ames? Well, senior co-captain Kiley Sutton would be the Ray Lewis of the team, which has given up only eight goals in 22 games thus far.

"We are a defense-oriented team. We may not be as skilled as other teams, but we feel our defense can stop almost anyone," said Oliver Ames head coach Britt Sellmayer.

"Sutton is our centerpiece on the defensive end. She's a great athlete, a calming presence and the one who makes sure everyone is in position on our side | and accounted for on the other."

Oliver Ames' run to the state semifinals is no fluke. The Tigers have terrorized the Hockomock League for the last 10 years, finishing either first or second in league play ever season since 1996. This fall, they went 13-1-1 in league play, with their only loss coming against Division 1 opponent Franklin, 3-2.

The Tigers use two goalkeepers in every game, a 1-2 punch that has worked out to near-perfection for them. Senior Brianna Cole and sophomore Samantha Brown each play a half in every contest, a formula Sellmayer plans to stick with tonight.

"The two of them competed very well before the season, and both have deserved to play during it. Either one is capable of carrying a team," said Sellmayer.

That might be an understatement, since Cole has posted a 0.13 goals-against average, the best of any keeper in the state. Brown also posted a solid 0.63 goals against average. The Tigers' offensive punch is usually delivered by senior co-captain Kelly Matthews, who won the Hockomock League MVP this fall. Matthews, whose father Bill played linebacker for the Patriots in the early 1980s, has tallied 14 goals and 12 assists this season. She will follow her two older sisters, Andi and Brenna, to Northeastern University, where she will continue her soccer career next fall.

"Kelly has been a four-year varsity starter and with her experience and skill, she's definitely our best player," said Sellmayer.

Danvers should not devote all of their defensive focus to Matthews, though. as junior Bethany Frazier would likely make them pay. Frazier was the Hockomock League's third-leading scorer during the regular season, racking up 19 points.

Tonight's other state semifinal pits Central Mass. titlist Millbury (14-5-2) against Western Mass. crownholder Southwick (14-7-1). They will square off at Foley Stadium in Worcester at 5 p.m.