Dagres's Two Goals Down Dover-Sherborn as Weston Wins Division 3 EMass Final

The Weston girls soccer team's wondrous season continued with a 2-1 win over Dover-Sherborn in the Division 3 EMass final last night in Weymouth.

Junior standout Emma Dagres scored two goals in the last three minutes of the first half, and the Wildcats (16-5-2) preserved the win, after allowing one back early in the second stanza.

Weston head coach James Blackwell was about to give Dagres a rest when the star striker tallied her first goal.

"I was about to give her a break and get one of our freshmen in, and then she scored," Blackwell said.

The coach kept Dagres on the field for the ensuing kickoff, and she struck again.

The victory advanced Weston to the Division 3 state title against Sutton on Saturday.

"It was a great perfomance. We've had a great [last] three games," Blackwell said of his team's tourney run.

Dagres scored the first goal off a thrown-in. She moved in front of the defense, dribbled the ball by D-S keeper Jessica Goudreault, and drilled it home.

Then, with under a minute to go in the half, Dagres collected a long inbound pass and found the net again with a low shot that eluded Goudreault.

The Wildcats controlled much of the first half, with the wind blowing in their favor, but Goudreault denied a bunch of chances, including two that resulted from passes to Dagres from sophomore star Madeline Linde.

Weston sophomore goalie Alissa Duffey was equally strong for the Wildcats. She made a knee save on a blast by Victoria Ortega late in the opening frame. And, just before D-S scored in the second half, Duffey deflected a blast by Taylor Coutts off the crossbar.

The Raiders' goal came in the 44th minute on a header by Maddie Dunn that sailed  just out of the reach of Duffey. The play was set up on a long throw-in by Ellie Melanson.

Weston's defense held the fort the rest of the way, warding off three corner kicks.

The Wildcats also got a terrific effort by senior midfielder Dana White. Blackwell lauded White for her play in marking D-S star captain Alyssa D'Arcy.

"She played her very well," Blackwell said of White. "Alyssa also had a very good game, but Dana was able to put pressure on and contain her."

Saturday's state title game will be played at Worcester State University at 5:30pm . Weston Boosters will offer a student spectator bus, which will depart WHS at 4:30pm. Interested students must sign up in the office by 1pm Friday.