Classical girls soccer qualifies for tournament

Perhaps no one else thought much about the Classical girls soccer team?s chances coming into the season, but the Rams themselves did.?We knew, going in, that we could put up a fight,” said coach Justina Alicudo, after the Rams defeated Randolph, 7-0, at Hood Park on Tuesday, to qualify for the state tournament.Alicudo, in her second year as coach, does not know when the last time Classical qualified for the tournament … or if it has ever.?Nobody?s sure if it?s ever happened,” she said. “But it?s really exciting. The girls have worked so hard for it.?I?m especially happy for the seniors,” she said. “It will be nice to continue the season.”Classical got an early-season test in the Lynn City Tournament when it lost to St. Mary?s, 2-1, in a shootout (technically it goes down as a tie, as the MIAA does not recognize regular-season overtimes or shootouts).?I think that was the game that, maybe, turned a couple of heads,” said Alicudo.The following week, the Rams tied a Beverly team that had been ranked in the state?s Top 10.?I don?t think too many people saw that coming,” she said. “A lot of people talked about how we were on a lucky streak.?But,” she said, “we have a good core group … a good team that, when we all play together, have some great potential.”Classical was extremely competitive in the Northeastern Conference all season, with few exceptions.?I loved the conference this year,” Alicudo said. “You never knew what was going to happen week to week. We tied Beverly … lost to Peabody by a goal both times … the girls have come a long way from those 9-0 losses every game.”Tuesday, Francesca Galeazzi scored four times to lead the Rams. Alaina Gridley, Jenn Ierardi and Emily Bucklin also scored.All told, Classical?s record is 8-6-1 with two games left, including tonight?s game against English. Earlier this fall, the Rams barely escaped the tenacious Bulldogs, winning 2-1 with a goal in extra time.