Six Falcon seniors play final game
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HOLDEN - Sherry Webb hoped to have another few days of practice with her six Smith Academy seniors and another few days before writing their farewell letters.
But after the Falcons' 4-1 loss to Oakmont in the state Division 2 semifinals Tuesday at Wachusett Regional, their season is over and it will soon be time for Webb to sit down at her desk.
"They are just such good kids and they just work so hard," Webb said. "It's just hard because we know we don't have practice tomorrow. We had our sports banquet the other night. Each one of the seniors wrote me a letter and they expect one back, so I have to do that now. Every one of them is my favorite. Ever. They are the best."
The loss marked the final game for Smith seniors Jackie Strycharz, Jill Hopfenspirger, Steph Slysz, Lindsay Gondek, Jaimie Allen and Kierstan Mulcare.
"Even though we didn't win tonight and didn't make states, which was our goal, we definitely accomplished a lot this season," Hopfenspirger said. "I'm very proud of my team. We played great this year."
Smith, which was looking for its fourth trip to the state final in school history, finished the year 19-3 overall.
Slysz finished with 18 goals and 24 assists this year. She had at least two points in all three western Massachusetts tournament games and ends her career with 35 goals and 49 assists.
Gondek, meanwhile, had 13 goals and 16 assists this year. She ends her career with 20 goals and 24 assists.
Junior Sarah Wickles will enter next season with 90 career points. She had 27 goals and nine assists this year and has 70 goals and 20 assists for her career.
Oakmont (17-1-3) advances for the second time ever to the title game at Worcester State College on Saturday, where it will face the winner of today's semifinal between Watertown (19-0-2) and Canton (17-1-3).
For the first time all season, the Falcons on Tuesday faced a team that could play with their speed and was aggressive enough to force mistakes.
"They match up with us in terms of speed better than anybody we faced," Webb said. "Front to back, they were as quick as we were, and quicker in some cases. That doesn't usually happen. They're very good."
Kelly Dunn helped the Spartans take advantage, with all three of the team's first-half goals en route to a 3-1 halftime lead.
Oakmont got on the board first after the Falcons' defense could not clear the ball, setting up a restart from the right side. Kristen Connolly sent the ball into the circle to Marissa Dunn, who passed it inside to twin sister Kelly for the goal with 24 minutes, 33 seconds remaining.
"When you're playing someone of that quality, you can't make mistakes," Webb said. "We've seen it all year, but we've been on the other side of that. We know how it happens. They just took advantage of it."
Eight minutes later, Devon Barry's cross to Kelly Dunn made it 2-0 Spartans.
Webb called a time-out and Smith immediately responded when Slysz made a long run down the right side into the circle and drew a foul for a penalty corner chance.
Hopfenspirger entered the ball to Gondek at the top of the circle and the senior blasted home the Falcons' lone goal of the game with 15 minutes remaining in the first half.
Smith took the momentum for a moment and pushed possession back into the Oakmont circle, generating back-to-back corner chances. But the Falcons couldn't get a stick on the second entry from Hopfenspirger and the Spartans quickly exploded down the field for a fast break.
Connolly sent a long pass to Kelly Dunn. Mulcare (three saves) came out and made the initial save on the 1-on-1, but Oakmont kept the ball alive and Dunn converted a shot on the open box for a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes left.
The Falcons had their chances to cut into the advantage, with eight corners, including five in the first half, but never got back on the board.
All season, the Falcons have shown the ability to score in quick bursts, including a four-goal explosion in 2:04 against Athol in the sectional semifinals.
The game was even through the second half, and Smith put three shots on goalie Morgan Mitchell (five saves), but could not score.
"We came together (in the second half). We knew what we had to do with our passing," Hopfenspirger said. "We were kind of set back (in the first half) and they came out as hard as we normally do. It was kind of hard for us to adjust, but I think in the second half we stepped it up and played a lot better."
The Spartans ended any little bit of drama when they added their fourth goal with 15 seconds left on a tip-in by Marisa Dunn.
"None of us should hang our heads. We did a great job. I'm more sad that it was my last game than anything," Slysz said. "Obviously, I'm upset that we lost, but I know I can say that we did the best that we could."
Jim Pignatiello can be reached at jpignatiello@gazettenet.com. Get updates delivered directly to your Facebook newsfeed at www.facebook.com/gazette.hs.
