The NWC girls started the season with one goal - getting back to the state championship game. They played well during the regular season, pushing through another difficult schedule and ending up as the #13 seed in the Class M tournament. As a school of choice with post-season success, they were required to move up to Class M for this year's tournament, and so had to play larger schools and none of the same schools from last year.
First up was a home game against #20 Wolcott. They didn't put on their best performance, but it was good enough for a 3-0 win. The defense didn't give up a shot or a corner kick the entire game.
Next, they travelled to Beacon Falls to play Woodland, the #4 seed. Woodland had two forwards that combined for 60 goals during the regular season, as well as an All State goalie, so NWC knew it was going to be a tough game. The NWC defense was incredible, as Woodland didn't cross over the midfield once during the first half. NWC prevailed 3-0, notching it's second shut out of the tournament.
Emily's best friend and fellow defender was injured mid-season and was only cleared to play in November. She subbed on in the first half as a midfielder and scored her first high school goal - which also ended up being the game winner.
Center backs rejoice!
The quarterfinal game was against Cromwell. One of Emily's best friends from her club team plays for Cromwell and Emily knew she would be a formidable opponent - and she was. She had more shots in the first half of the game than Woodland and Wolcott combined for in two games. Fortunately, the rest of the team was not as strong and the NWC midfielders and forwards carved up the Cromwell defense, for a final score of 6-0.
Normally, these two are thrilled to be on the field together. Not today.
Emily defending Cam. This was far from Emily's best game, but as we always say when she's unhappy with her performance, she was good enough.
The semi-final game was at a neutral location against #8 seed Watertown. Social media is a funny thing - and the Watertown girls spent a lot of time before the game boasting about how they had the best defense in the state. When the game was over, NWC felt like they had laid claim to that title. Although it was only 1-0 at the half, NWC exploded for 4 goals in the second half, beating Watertown 5-0. This was Emily's best game of the season - no doubt about it. We knew it, she knew it, and everyone watching knew it. She single handedly kept NWC in the game in the first half and when it was all over, her coach and the team's best player told her she was the MVP of the game. As the girls left the field, almost every parent stopped her to tell her how incredible she played.
One of our friends made this before the game.
Playing at big stadiums and having a locker room never gets old.
When they knew for sure they were going to play for the state championship.
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