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GIRLS VARSITY
On Tuesday, Latin hosted DCL Large (and overall) champion, Acton-Boxborough, who came into the match undefeated and with the second-highest MIAA power ranking across all divisions. In preparation for the match, the Wolfpack squad bought into the simple idea that A-B were not infallible -- after all, they had given up a goal in DCL play (well, one solitary goal, but still). Latin rolled out a new 4-4-1-1 system, installed specifically with the aim of stymieing the mighty A-B, and our intelligent student-athletes implemented it perfectly. Senior Captains Kathleen Terrey and Selina Tang excelled in the unfamiliar role of wide left midfielder; frosh phenom Eliza Knight-Bairstow came off the bench to own the withdrawn striker role. As the match settled into its pattern, it was clear that the Wolfpack were playing with composure on and off the ball -- largely frustrating the visitors' attack and also able to keep possession in short bursts to take the pressure off of our back line.
The match was scoreless at the half. A-B came out strong in the second half with a continuation of overly aggressive play, partly borne out of frustration. In the 51' A-B's center midfielder, the reigning DCL Player of the Year and 2021 Globe All-Scholastic selection, committed her third foul on gutsy Latin Captain, Mary Harrington -- well, the third foul that was actually called a foul. Junior Caitlin McDonough expertly lofted the resulting free kick deep into the A-B penalty box, where an A-B defender, in a desperate attempt to clear the dangerous ball, headed it into the top corner, beyond the reach of her own keeper. In a single stroke the match, and possibly A-B's season, had been turned on its head! Latin defended valiantly for the remaining 29 minutes of the match as A-B slowly turned the screws with an unbeatable combination of technical skill and college-level physicality. In the 58', A-B leveled the score off a frankly brilliant header from a corner kick. Ten minutes later, A-B found its winner from a stellar individual effort from their POY. Latin continued to defend deep for the remaining dozen minutes of the match but were unable to mount a comeback. Latin's back line was exceptional, led heroically by center backs Senior Captain Cece Jackson and Caitlin McDonough. Outside backs, Frosh Leila Ohashi and Senior Lauren Choy, each played the full 80 minutes, with Lauren even briefly filling in at center back. Goalkeeper Zoe Mattison put on a performance for the ages, particularly in the 2nd half when A-B laid siege to our goal.
Coming off of that strong performance, the Wolfpack went into the season's final match on Friday eager to avenge last year's crushing Senior Game loss to Ursuline Academy, our longest-running non-league rivalry. In the pre-game huddle, Coach Rud asked the team to do one thing in addition to the standard instructions to play with intensity and play with intelligence: play with Joy! Back in its favored 4-3-3 system, the Wolfpack roared out of the gates. In the 3' Captain Kathleen Terrey played fellow Captain Selina Tang in on goal with a brilliant through ball, only for the Ursuline keeper to deny Tang with an equally brilliant save. Two minutes later Tang was not to be denied, muscling the ball over the line on a long cross from Captain Mackenzie Strachan. Despite several additional opportunities, Latin was not able to add to its lead as the teams headed to halftime. The second half was all one-way traffic. Seven minutes in Tang's brilliant wing play allowed her to set up Terrey for a composed finish to make it 2-0. At the 60'-mark, Tang was again the provider, this time for midfielder, Sophomore Lily Murphy, who collected her second goal of the season. In her favored "8" role, Murphy continued her season-long upward trajectory by dominating the midfield. Meanwhile, her Sophomore sidekick Rachel Starr dominated the second half in the "6" role. Frosh Zoe Jolliffe made her varsity debut, playing as both a 6 and an 8. The 3-0 score line was memorable; however, the joy that the Wolfpack players brought to their play was probably more memorable to the numerous fans, including the loudly supportive BV squad, as the Wolfpack stars brought out their "tricks and flicks" and numerous intricate team passing sequences as the game went on.
As the squad gathered for an emotional post-game circle, it was evident that the players and coaches were deeply satisfied with the season's journey. After starting the season with a deflating run of seven straight losses, Latin finished its final nine games with a 3-4-2 record, with a goal difference of +3. In those final nine games, Latin conceded but seven goals, despite playing four teams ranked in the top 20 of the MIAA D1 power rankings (Framingham, C-C, L-S, and A-B). As the program bids farewell to 14 amazing young women, the coaches are already excited about next season!
GIRLS JV
In the season finale, the BLS Girls JV team were hungry to finish off the season on the right foot with a win. Determined as ever, the girls won in resounding fashion beating Ursuline 8-1. The offense fired on all cylinders and the defense stood strong and firm. This was the most complete game the team played all season and they have come a long way this season. The coaching staff is grateful for all the hard work the girls have put in this season. It was the perfect ending of the season as they girls looked to celebrate with an end-of-season party! We look forward to seeing you everyone next season!
BOYS JV
The BLS JV Boys controlled the game right from the start against Acton-Boxborough (AB). Eight minutes into the half, midfielder Gideon Neave got the ball on the right side of the field. He made a quick stop, got tripped up (with no whistle from the ref), and landed awkwardly, breaking his arm. Gideon remained strong as he was wheeled off the field on a stretcher to the hospital. Shaken the rest of the team continued to control much of the play, but an AB forward was able to get to the end of a long ball, got through our defense, and slotted the ball in the net. Seven minutes later, Achraf Chafiq got the ball outside the 18-yard box. After a few nifty moves, he found Devlin Duggan just inside the left side of the box. Devlin calmly beat a defender and fired the ball into the right corner of the net. Unfortunately, an AB breakaway resulted in another goal closing the first half 2-1.
Both teams continued to battle in the second half. As they did earlier, AB launched a long ball from the right to the left side of the field. The AB forward dribbled across the box and shot the ball into the net. Down 3-1, BLS got another goal when Devlin Duggan broke through the AB defensive line with 12 minutes to go. BLS continued to control the game looking for the tying goal. With 1 minute left, Joe Day sent a pass to the top of the box. Jivan Tai Dawson dummied the pass so that the ball found Caleb Kohn. Caleb touched the ball to his left and fired a shot into the upper 90 - tying the game. Not the win we were hoping for but coming back from two goals down to tie it 3-3 was a great way to end the season.
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