Hingham girls soccer captures Patriot League Keenan title

WHITMAN — There’s many ways to win a division title, but none as gratifying as the way Hingham accomplished the feat Friday.

In their regular season finale, the Harborwomen denied rival Whitman-Hanson‘s bid at the divisional crown by taking down the Panthers, 2-0, at Dennis M. O’Brien Field to capture the Patriot League Keenan title.

Sensational goals from Sophie Reale and Ava Maguire along with seven saves from Kathryn Wilson proved to be the difference for Hingham (9-1-1).

“(It’s) extremely satisfying and actually a little emotional,” said first-year Hingham coach Sarah Dacey. “Just so proud of the girls and how they fought all the way through.”

Hingham went on top in the 19th minute by running a set play off an indirect kick that it had never run in a game before.

The result was Reale blasting a shot from 25 yards out into the top right corner of the net for her league-leading 16th goal of the season and a 1-0 advantage.

While W-H (8-1-2) created sustained offensive pressure in the second quarter, including having a shot clang off the crossbar, the Panthers couldn’t put away any of their chances.

That allowed Hingham to extend its lead in the 60th minute when Maguire, who was hobbled with a foot injury in the second half but played through it, received a pass from Emily Gibbons and delivered an unstoppable left-footed strike that hit the corner of the crossbar and dropped in.

“I knew that strike needed to be on net,” Maguire said. “I think I got a little lucky, but it was a great shot.”

The Harborwomen, who tied W-H in their previous matchup, could be in for a third meeting with the Panthers this season if their paths cross in the upcoming Patriot League Cup.

“We might absolutely see them one more time,” Dacey said. “It’s two really talented teams that have a rivalry and kids show up when this game happens.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2TYR3cG