NORWELL — The No. 5 Swampscott Big Blue field hockey team came up just short Wednesday evening, as the No. 1 Sandwich Blue Knights defeated the Big Blue 2-0 in the Division 3 semifinal at Norwell High School.
Swampscott head coach Courtney Russo was pleased with the effort of the team even in the loss.
“I wish we took advantage of a few more opportunities,” Russo said. “I thought we fought hard, we played with everything. We just had a few missed opportunities but all in all, I’m pleased with the way (the team) fought hard until the end.”
The Blue Knights spent most of the first quarter on the attack, but Swampscott goalie Chloe Rakauskas had a phenomenal start to the game with four saves in the opening quarter.
Russo thought that she performed great for the Big Blue in net.
“She came out strong,” Russo said. She’s a senior. She was able to clear the ball out of there. She had a couple good key athletic saves.”
In the second quarter Swampscott was able to get more offensive pressure, but by the end of the half, it still had yet to register a shot on net. Rakauskas made another crucial save with three minutes left in the second quarter to keep the game knotted at 0-0.
The second half got off to a rough start for the Big Blue, as Sandwich found the back of the net within the first two minutes of the third quarter when senior Paige Hawkins gave the Blue Knights a 1-0 lead.
Heading into the final quarter, Swampscott needed to do more than just register its first shot on net. The Big Blue needed to find a goal to keep their dreams of the state finals alive.
Swampscott sensed the urgency as it was able to gain more momentum in the offensive zone. They tallied two corners but were unable to create any dangerous opportunities.
But Sandwich clinched its fate with 3:10 left in the game, as Lily Tobin scored to give the Blue Knights a 2-0 lead.
Swampscott closes out the season with a 14-6-3 record.
