LYNN — A repeat trip to the Division 3 North final was the Swampscott girls soccer team’s goal coming into Tuesday’s sectional semifinal at Manning Field. Stoneham had other ideas.
Stoneham’s Caldarelli twins, forward Samantha and midfielder Amanda, accounted for all the scoring in the Spartans’ 4-1 win.
Amanda powered No. 1 Stoneham’s attack with three goals scored, while Samantha scored once and distributed two assists.
“They were a handful up top,” No. 13 Swampscott coach Norman James said of the Caldarelli duo. “We didn’t have any seniors in the back. Youth against experience. Sometimes it doesn’t work out the right way.
“Overall I’m proud of these girls. I didn’t expect us to get this far. It’s shocking, just shocking that we got this far and I wasn’t surprised that we played a team that was very competitive. I knew this game was going to be our toughest game.”
Captain Emme Laundry scored Swampscott’s lone goal in the 68th minute. But the Big Blue were down 4-0 by then.
“We don’t quit,” James said. “We just keep fighting. This is great for them because they’re young and they’re going to learn from this. This is a learning experience for them.”
Goalie Lilian Gosselin gave the Big Blue another top-notch effort in net. Gosselin (eight saves) did everything she could do to keep Swampscott within striking distance before the Spartans pulled away in the second half.
“Lilian’s a freshman and she basically found a home in net,” James said. “Whoever comes in next year trying to beat her for that spot, they’re going to have a tough time trying to take Lilian out of that spot. I’m proud of her. She has three more years with us.”
After 10 minutes of each team moving the ball up and down the field, Stoneham put the Big Blue in a 1-0 hole. Samantha Caldarelli cashed in on a one-timer from 25 yards out that hit the top crossbar and snuck into the back of the net.
The Big Blue defense weathered the storm and recovered nicely after the early goal. Gosselin made a sliding save in the 34th minute and, four minutes later, corralled a roller to keep it a 1-0 game. Mackenzie Kearney’s attempt at the equalizer toward the close of the half was saved by Spartans goalie Allyson Porter and it remained 1-0 at halftime.
“We didn’t change anything (down 1-0) because we’re used to being behind,” James said. “We’re used to basically giving up a goal. I thought we didn’t keep our composure and we started playing their type of game. I told them, ‘in the second half, just get to the ball to the field.’ We like to pass the ball and move the ball around. That’s what we did all season.”
Things went Stoneham’s way in the second half with Amanda Caldarelli guiding the charge. She scored in the 44th minute off a rebound and made the most of a one-on-one in the 56th minute, stretching Stoneham’s lead to 3-0. Amanda Caldarelli sealed the Spartans’ scoring in the 66th minute with her third goal of the game.
“They were more physical than we were,” James said. “They beat us physically to the ball and they beat us physically when we had the ball. They were more aggressive than we were. Again, youth versus seniors. They’ll learn from this.”
Showing no quit, the Big Blue played until the final whistle. Laundry scored with 11:57 to play but Stoneham’s defense held tight through the closing minutes for the 4-1 win.
“Emme had a great season,” James said. “It’s tough seeing her walk away without winning a championship. Last year she takes it as a junior and she wanted to win it this year. We did everything we could with this team. This team has a bright future.”
Swampscott finished the season at 12-7-2.
