Holliston Can't Find the Scoring Touch Late in Tie

On certain days a tie can feel like a win, and for the Westwood girl’s soccer team that winning feeling came in the form of a 1-1 tie against their undefeated rival Holliston, Tuesday evening in Westwood.

Ebru Hazar scored a beautiful ‘finesse’ goal with seven minutes left in the second half, to spurn a Holliston victory in a game in which the Panthers controlled the midfield, in a physical match, where the referees appeared to leave their whistles at home.

“She is a poised player,” said Westwood Coach Tim Chant of Hazar, “that’s not the first finesse goal I’ve seen her score.”

Holliston scored their only goal in the first half when a collision with Westwood goalie allowed Lindy Kyger’s shot from twenty yards out rolled in the net at the twentieth minute.

It was apparent to all, that the size of the Panthers front and back lines would pose a problem for Chant’s girls in creating opportunities and winning the 50/50 balls in the midfield.

“We have some physical players that move well on the field together,” said Holliston head coach Kristina Kern, whose team remained unbeaten at 2-0-1, following wins over Millis and Ashland.

Coach Chant’s solution to the Panther pressure was instilling midfielder Sheila O’Sullivan midway through the first half and immediately the Wolverines were able to contest some balls in the midfield.

“We got a real injection of intensity with O’Sullivan going into the midfield,” said Chant, “she is a ball-winner and she picked up our intensity and toughness.”

“We really wanted to beat Westwood,” said sophomore forward Jordan Bynoe, “after they scored we panicked a little.”

They action in the final ten minutes of the game was that of a championship fight as both tams went end to end with ample scoring opportunities.

Holliston's Courtney Adams had a strike to the corner post, but Wolverine goalie Nadine Taghian made a diving stop to keep her team within a goal.

Hazar also had a breakaway late, down the right sideline, but Panther goalie Allegra Sacco came across the field to breakup the play and save one of the best opportunities for the Wolverines all night.

“We knew it was crunch time, we were going to jump on any opportunity we got,” said Hazar. “When the ball goes forward everyone is running up.”

Hazar’s goal came on a beautiful assist from Caitie Reilly, who fought for the ball and was able to head it over to Hazar’s foot.

“She fought so hard for the ball, she lost it at first and went right back and got it again,” said Hazar.

The Panthers had numerous corner kicks in the final minutes but Westwood, who had dropped their previous two games to Medway and Bellingham by scores of 1-0, were able to fight off the attack of the Panthers to get the well earned tie.

“Both teams are good teams, and it was a tough tie and a tough goal to go off on,” said Kern. “But we had some opportunities… at times I thought we were trying to do things individually instead of as a team.”

The Panthers are however not concerned with the draw, and expect to bounce back and be a perennial TVL contender.

“I know we will bounce back,” said Kern

 Meanwhile Chant knows he has his hands full in finding the scoring punch on a very under sized front line.

 “Every night is a battle.”