Swampscott girls still kicking

SWAMPSCOTT— It is often said that the best offense is a good defense, and the Swampscott girls soccer team helped strengthen the opinion in its 2-1 victory over Stoneham in the quarterfinals of the Division 3 North tournament on Wednesday afternoon.Leading 2-0 at halftime on tallies from juniors Megan Marocco and Meghan Hartmann, the No.5 Big Blue yielded a corner-kick response just two minutes into the second session starting with Emily Simpson whose drive found Allison Little in traffic in front of the net.From that point on, the hosts had an answer for each and every chance the Spartans could muster, weathering the storm much like it had in the opening 40 minutes.?It?s always nice to grab a first-half lead, especially in a state tournament game, but credit Stoneham for pushing back,” said Swampscott coach Ken Leeder. “Our defense stepped up in a big way in the second half. We worked hard to earn this win.”The Big Blue scored twice in a span of 4:15 late in the opening half.After breaking the ice at 29:19 on a drive from close-range, Marocco set up Hartmann with a beautiful lead pass before Hartmann tucked her shot inside the far-right post.Freshman Julianna Rhodes was credited with an assist on the opening goal.Spearheading the defensive movement was junior Emma Wright, making things much easier for senior keeper Samantha Rizzo who finished with five saves.?She?s a rock in the defensive end,” said Rizzo of Wright who cleared numerous balls away from the box.?Emma has played like this all year long, winning every 50-50 ball she competes for.”Stoneham, the 13th seed, held the hosts without a shot until the 20th minute while its offense earned two more corner kicks and a pair of free kicks in succession, the latter requiring Rizzo?s last save at the 13:40 mark.?We came out and gave it a good fight,” said Spartans coach Sharon Chapman whose team finishes the season 4-12-3. “Swampscott is a very good defensive team and they made it tough for us to break through. We didn?t have many solid opportunities today.”?It?s been fun,” said Wright of the Big Blue?s tournament run.?Other than our football team, we?re the only Swampscott team still playing so it?s been great seeing all of our families, classmates, and friends show up to support us.”Swampscott (14-5-1) will play Monday (5) against No.9 North Reading in a Division 3 North semifinal at Manning Field in Lynn.