Sports
Wolverines Defeat Algonquin for State Title
Friday's offensive onslaught powered the Westwood girls lacrosse team to another championship.
It started close, but in a flash it was a rout.
The Westwood girls lacrosse team picked apart Algonquin Regional High School and flew out to a 10-goal halftime lead en route to a dominant 20-6 victory to claim the Division 1 State Championship Friday night at Foley Field in Worcester.
The championship was the fourth for the senior class in the last five years.
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The Wolverines were led by senior Laura McHoul, who finished her career in the green and white with a flourish. McHoul netted seven goals and assisted on four goals in the win.
“The whole team was on and everyone was clicking,” McHoul said. “Our intensity on the field was good, and our chemistry was good. It feels great.”
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The Tomahawks took the lead early on a goal from junior Hannah Lindgren and trailed 3-2 at the five minute mark, but it was all Wolverines from there. Sophomore Ela Hazar scored all three of her goals in a two-minute span to open up the lead before a pair of goals by McHoul made it 8-3 and the rout was on.
Westwood kept expanding the lead, and three goals in the last two minutes blew the lead up to 10 at the half. Five different Wolverines scored during the first 25 minutes.
“They got rid of the nerves in the first couple of minutes and it was just lights out; they were running through them,” Westwood coach Leslie Frank said. “They wanted it. This was their time.”
Westwood senior Kate Rich scored five goals in the win. She said that her four years as a Wolverine matured her and prepared her for the next stage in her life.
“This program has helped to prepare me for the next step in life,” Rich said. “It definitely has made me a stronger person for sure; obviously a stronger competitor. I just couldn’t be more thankful to be from the town that I’m from and be surrounded by the girls I’m surrounded by.”
Lindgren finished with three goals and an assist for the Tomahawks, who advanced to their first state final in program history.
Algonquin coach John Healy said that he was proud of his team for achieving their goal of winning the Central Massachusetts title.
