Feehan Freshman's 4 Goals Sparks Opening Game Win

Experience was supposed to be the key to success for the Bishop Feehan Lady Shamrocks in 2011, but in the opener it was a freshman that got the season off to flying start. Maddie Jolin, making her first career varsity appearance, scored four goals in the first half and Feehan cruised to a 7-0 victory against their crosstown rivals, the Attleboro High Lady Bombardiers at McGrath Stadium.

Feehan (1-0) returned their top three scorers from last season, Annie Galvin, Delaney Lancor, and Taylor Levy who combined for over 60 goals in 2010 but it was Jolin that would take home the game ball. After Galvin made it 1-0, Jolin scored a hat trick in seven minutes to put the Lady Shamrocks comfortably on top. Jolin added a fourth six minutes later after another Lancor cross from the right side where Feehan were rampant. Ally Luongo and Lancor, who transferred from Attleboro two seasons ago, tacked on insurance goals in the second half.

Coach Phil Silva was impressed by his freshman’s debut.

“I said it’s going to be tough to live up to that again,” he said. “When you get the ball played to you in good spots by your teammates it’s pretty easy to finish it and that’s what she did.”

There was one bright spot for the Lady Bombardiers (0-3, 0-2) and it was the outstanding play of sophomore goalkeeper Elizabeth Clifton who kept Feehan off the board with a series of acrobatic saves.

First year Head Coach Steve Santos had nothing but praise for Clifton’s performance.

“This game could’ve really gotten ugly early and Beth definitely stepped up and played big,” he said. 

The Lady Bombardiers only returned three varsity players from last season and they face a very difficult schedule at the start of the season so Coach Santos is keeping everything in perspective, “We’re still learning a lot and, you know, Feehan really brought it to us and they kept us in our end, really made it tough.”

The Lady Shamrocks have high expectations for their season after losing in the sectional finals last year and Coach Silva was pleased with the start, “I think the first 10 minutes we missed a lot of chances but after that I think we played good soccer the rest of the way.”