WESTFIELD --- Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Luckily, the Algonquin girls soccer team didn't have to play the blame --- or shame --- game against Minnechaug in a rematch of last year's Division I girls state soccer semifinal. Last year, Minnechaug went on to win and took home the state championship. Tonight, though, Algonquin was the victor, claiming a 3-2 win after outscoring the Falcons, 4-3, in penalty kicks.
"It's a crazy feeling," said Algonquin's Alex Hayes, who kicked in the final penalty kick for the Tomahawks. "There is no way to describe it. We've worked on penalty kicks for weeks and knew it could come down to this.
Algonquin avenged last year's state semifinal loss to Minnechaug with a 3-2 win on penalty kicks. (Photo courtesy Emily Mead)
"I am glad I could come through."
After a scoreless first half, Minnechaug's Sarah Brochu headed one past the goalie amidst a scrum following an Alyssa Willard corner kick to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. It stayed that way until a wild series of events over a two-minute stretch late in the game.
With 10:50 left to play Minnechaug's Kelsey Varzeas was called for a foul after colliding with Algonquin's Gillian Cartucci. Cartucci was ruled to be in the box and a penalty kick was awarded to the Tomahawks. Samantha Friday took the kick and beat Minnechaug goalie Ali Pessolano to her left, tying the score at 1-1.
Less than a minute and a half later, Emily Lemmerman streaked nearly untouched down the right side of the field and sailed a beautiful shot past Pessolano, giving the Tomahawks a momentum-swinging, 2-1 advantage.
Minnechaug found the equalizer, though, with under two minutes to play when Marquet Mensing headed home a Lauren MacLellan corner kick.
After two scoreless 10-minute overtime periods, it all came down to penalty kicks.
"We've practiced them a lot, so we knew we were prepared," said Sarah Dahlstrom, who kicked in a PK and recorded an assist on Lemmerman's goal. "The adrenaline was going, though, so you just try to slow down. It went in and that's all I can ask for."
Minnechaug's Marquet Mensing brings the ball up the sideline against Algonquin in the Division I state semifinal. Algonquin won 3-2 on penalty kicks. (Photo courtesy Emily Mead)
Kelsey Varzeas shot first for Minnechaug and was stonewalled by Algonquin goalie Heather Carr. The teams traded successful penalty kicks until Carr was able to stop Tara Murphy, securing the Tomahawks' victory.
It was the second straight year these two teams met at this stage in the state tournament. Last year, the Falcons handed Algonquin a 2-1 defeat. Things sure ended differently this year.
"We knew coming in that it would be a tough game," Dahlstrom said. "We knew they were tough and remembered them from last year. We're happy for our win."
After winning the state championship, it was a surprise to some for Minnechaug to have the amount of success it did. The Falcons, themselves, weren't surprised at all.
"This season, a lot of people thought we weren't as good as we were last year," said Brochu. "But we proved a lot of people wrong. We won Western Mass. and we're proud of that.
"Penalty kicks are intense; the hardest part of the game. We're so proud of (goalie) Ali Pessolano. There is only so much you can do."
Algonquin advances to play the winner of Thursday's Acton-Boxboro vs. Whitman-Hanson state semifinal.
DIVISION I BOYS STATE SEMIFINAL
Ludlow's Michael Jordan looks to pass in the Lions' 2-1 state semifinal win over Algonquin.
Ludlow 2, Algonquin 1
For the second straight year, Ludlow will play for the state championship.
The Lions advanced past the Tomahawks on a pair of second-half goals. Algonquin got on the board with its first goal with only a few seconds left, but couldn't find the equalizer.
Ludlow struck first 20 minutes into the second half, with Chris Pereira knocking in the ball off a Fabio Rodrigues corner kick.
The Lions extended their lead and all but put the finishing touches on the win with seven minutes remaining when Jeff Bramucci made contact on a Brian Borowiec cross.
Well into referee's time, Algonquin's Patrick Keller scored on a beautiful kick from nearly 30 yards out to put the Tomahawks on the board.
It would prove to be too late, though, as Ludlow earned the right to defend its state championship Sunday against the winner of Thursday's Lexington-Catholic Memorial matchup.
"After last year, we knew we would have the caliber team to make it back here," Periera said. "We're glad to be where we are and have the chance to repeat."
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