On Wednesday, September 16th, WA Girls’ Varsity Soccer faced Waltham in their first home game of the season. After a hard fought game, WA ultimately defeated Waltham with a final score of 6-0.

From the beginning of the first half throughout the entire game, WA maintained possession of the ball and kept the ball in the other team’s half for the majority of the game. Only 12 minutes into the first half, senior captain Molly MacLure scored with a long shot from outside the box.

4 minutes later, sophomore Katherine Pawlak took a close shot, just missing the net. Freshman Mary Cadogan netted the ball, however the point was not given to WA as she was offsides when the ball was kicked.

WA continued to keep possession throughout the remainder of the first half and made solid passes to get the ball up the field. With 15 minutes remaining in the first half, MacLure took a long shot and put the ball in the net for a second time, making the score 2-0 at the end of the first half.

Senior captain Lauren Walter felt that the team did well in the first half maintaining possession by connecting passes.

“We really worked well as a team connecting our passing and getting our shots on net,” said Walter.

When the second half began, WA kept up the energy they possessed at the beginning of the game. Just 10 minutes into the second half, sophomore Hannah Roche scored to increase WA’s lead to 3-0.

Soon after Roche’s goal, Pawlak took a shot, but Waltham’s goalie concealed the ball and WA players were unable to get the rebound. MacLure then took an indirect kick outside the goal box and the ball passed just over the goal.  12 Minutes into the second half, Waltham called a time out soon after MacLure’s kick.

With 23 minutes remaining, Walter took a long shot that just missed to the left of the net.

One of the most exciting plays of the game occurred with only 21 minutes remaining in the second half. MacLure sent a ball up the side of the field to senior Steph Amato who ran onto the ball and quickly crossed it just in front of the net where junior Marley Buonacore was positioned. Buonacore was there to complete the goal by passing it past the goalie into the back of the net.

Buonacore’s first goal of the season was exciting for her and caused her to play even harder in an attempt to keep the score up.

“It was my first varsity goal and the cheering and excitement from fellow teammates and all the fans can’t help but make you just want to go out and score again,” said Buonacore. “I was jazzed to say the least.”

Just 4 minutes later, Amato took a shot around the goalie and scored, making the score 5-0.

Amato was pleased to score her first goal of the season and felt the team did well communicating throughout the game.

“It felt incredible to score my first goal of the season. I was really happy that I could contribute a goal to the score,” said Amato. “I think the team really came together and played amazing. Our passing game was unbelievable and our communication too.”

Sophomore goalie Emma O’Sullivan then made a great save, bouncing the ball away from the net with her knees, during a breakaway by a Waltham forward.

In the final 15 minutes of the game, freshman Mary Cadogan put the ball in the net, bringing the final score to 6-0.

Walter felt that the team did well overall in passing and taking shots often. She is excited for the remainder of the season and is hopeful that the team will excel in future games.

“I’m super excited to see how the season will go,” said Walter. “I feel like it’ll be a good one.”

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