WALPOLE — It felt like all the pieces was going towards them.
An undefeated squad and intense climate nonetheless proved no match for Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) on Friday. Sophomore standout Sadie Lopez completed with 5 targets, because the Cougars (13-3) handed Walpole its first loss with an epic 13-8 victory on the highway.
“We depend on one another a lot,” Lopez mentioned. “I feel that actually confirmed on this sport. We had been actually trusting one another, particularly within the clear, simply on offense and protection. I feel it actually got here collectively nicely in the present day.”
It was a conflict between two of the state’s top-tier faculties, and this panned out as such within the early going, as they traded targets in the course of the opening three minutes. Then, the Cougars returned to their dominant kind, scoring 4 straight as Notre Dame constructed a 5-1 benefit.
Because the second quarter progressed, Notre Dame started to warmth up as Lopez registered two extra targets within the closing minutes to supply the Cougars a convincing 8-2 lead on the break.
Many had been anticipating Walpole (13-1) to make a run, and the Timberwolves staged their pursuit because the second half commenced. Because the skies opened up and the downpours started, Sophia Fruci opened the third quarter with a purpose, earlier than UMass commit Caitlyn Naughton buried two straight tallies. Then Jenna Wong potted a purpose and Walpole was again in it, trailing 8-6 with 6:24 to go within the body.
When it felt like issues had been coming aside for Notre Dame, Lopez sniped a free place shot to revive order, giving the Cougars a 9-6 edge with 1:29 to play within the third.
“We simply obtained a timeout,” Lopez mentioned. “We knew we may cease them, and we went on a run there, which was nice. We had been simply capable of pull ourselves collectively, and play the sport we all know the best way to play.”
With seconds to play within the third, Emma Whoriskey tallied a purpose for Notre Dame Academy to make it 10-6, and the Cougars had been off and operating.
Taylor Watts added a pair of targets within the victory to assist Notre Dame.
After a tricky stretch, is it attainable that we’re seeing the Cougars beginning to regain their spot because the state’s top-ranked workforce?
“I feel there’s stress in each sport,” Lopez mentioned. “We need to win each sport, and I feel we’re serious about ourselves. However, yeah, (Walpole was) an amazing workforce that we need to see once more.”
