Wildcats Stand Tall in Win over Concord-Carlisle

The early battles in the Dual County League are heating up, and the Weston High field hockey team continues to kick things into high gear. With yesterday's stunning 3-0 win over visiting Concord-Carlisle, the undefeated Wildcats improved to 4-0-2.

"I thought we played well, we had a great passing game," Weston head coach Laura Galopim said. "It was just flowing."

The Patriots, meanwhile, fell to 2-3 during a campaign in which they already were hampered by injuries in the preseason.

"We did pretty well containing them in the first half, but started missing the midfield connection in the second half," C-C coach Betsy Smith said. "And the space got to be too big between the offense and defense for us to recover any momentum."

The result was many more shots on goal and penalty corners for Weston, which already was playing well with its effective passing. But, as terrific as the 'Cats offense was, their defense played just as much a role in their 1-0 lead at the end of the first half. Senior star captain and midfielder Tanner Skenderian made an outstanding sweep save at the right goal post on a C-C penalty corner.

"It was a great goal-line stand," Galopim said.

Weston junior Sara Coburn shined earning the shutout in net.

C-C also had its share of highlights on the defensive end, none better than the play of senior goalie Caroline Kielar.

"She faced a lot of rocketed shots point blank that she turned away," Smith said.

Smith also lauded the play of C-C senior captain Marin Epstein.

"She's as steady as they come," the coach said. "She's always in the right position."

Weston took the lead on an Ally Gosman strike 3:46 into the first half. Bianca Brueckner got the assist, the first of her two helpers on the day. Brueckner also scored Weston's third goal with 1:53 left in the game.

Senior standout captain and forward Christina Warner gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead with 7:03 left. The play was set up by a Brueckner feed on the right side to Warner in the middle.

"It was a nice goal, it made me feel better," Galopim said of the insurance strike.

Freshman phenom Elizabeth Dennehy got the assist on Brueckner's strike that sealed the win.

Galopim said Dennehy, who leads Weston with seven goals this season, and fellow freshman Katherine Goguen, have given the 'Cats a huge boost offensively.

"They're both proven players who earned starting spots," the coach said.

Weston already was in good shape with all but three of their starters returning this season. In addition to Dennehy and Goguen, senior midfielder Lily Teplow also won a starting role.

The Wildcats also welcomed the return of senior midfielder Grace McCurdy, who had been ailing with an ankle injury.

"The way she played you would have never known she was injured," Galopim praised.