BROCKTON — Although Swampscott’s girls soccer season came to a close Thursday afternoon, its effort couldn’t be questioned. The No. 26 Big Blue fell 2-0 to No. 7 Cardinal Spellman after two late goals punched the Cardinals’ ticket into the Round of 16.
Going on the road is always tricky in the state tournament, but Swampscott all season proved to have one of the best defenses in Division 3. Entering the game, the Big Blue had registered 11 shutouts, showing it would be tough for the high-scoring Cardinals to find an opening.
That held true for most of the match, as Swampscott’s defense — anchored by senior captain Samantha Ward, sophomore Izzy Gold, junior Jenny Sanchez Muniz and junior Cecilia Tripp — was outstanding. When the Cardinals did find a shot, goalkeeper Eve Byrne was there to deny it.
In the 28th minute, the Cardinals had one of their best chances of the first half when a long throw was launched into the box. The ball was deflected, forcing Byrne to make an outstanding save just before it crossed the goal line.
Swampscott head coach Jaymie Caponigro praised Byrne for her performance.
“I’ve seen her grow since she was a freshman, but even this season alone, just her confidence, I think, has helped her a ton,” Caponigro said. “She’s feeling more comfortable back there between the posts, but also with the people she has in front of her. That makes a huge difference as well.”
Cardinal Spellman head coach Mike Perry also credited Swampscott’s defense.
“I thought we had some chances in the first half, but their goalie made some nice saves and defensively they did a great job,” Perry said.
The two teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
In the second half, the Cardinals came out strong, but with about 10 to 15 minutes left, Swampscott began to apply pressure. The Big Blue’s best chance came from a Fiona Keaney shot that the Cardinals’ goalkeeper got her fingertips to to keep the ball from going over the line.
Swampscott kept sending corner kicks and long throws into the box but couldn’t find the breakthrough. Unfortunately for the Big Blue, the Cardinals did.
After a Swampscott goal kick landed at midfield, the Cardinals were first to the ball and connected on two quick passes that set up freshman Emerson McCann through on goal. McCann made no mistake, slotting the ball past Byrne for the first score in the 74th minute.
“In the second half, we started off pretty good, but then for about 10 minutes they kind of took the game over a little bit,” Perry said. “The ball stayed down in our half. We talked about it — it just takes one break — and we found it today.
In stoppage time, the Cardinals added another goal, this time from freshman Brynn Nickley, to seal the win and advance.
“Cardinal Spellman is the No. 7 team, and they’re a great program, and it took them until seven minutes left in the second half to get one past us,” Caponigro said. “I think that speaks to how strong defensively we are. With Eve in goal and our four defenders in front of her, they make it tough for teams to get the ball over the line.”
In her third season in charge, Caponigro said she was proud of her team’s effort and resilience — qualities she and her coaching staff have worked to instill in the program.
“That’s one thing about us — we don’t give up,” she said. “That’s something that as a program we want every single one of our players to have: that grit, that heart and determination. We’ve really been harping on that over the past couple seasons since we’ve taken over, just teaching them you’ve got to find a way to get it done no matter how it happens.”
The Big Blue graduate three seniors from this team in Ward, Keaney, and Easter Cunningham. Caponigro praised the work they done on and off the field.
“Sam has done a great job for us,” Caponigro said. “We ask a lot from her. She’s had to play different positions, but to step into that center back role, where sometimes you’re left on an island and you’re the last one to break things up before it gets to the keeper, she’s really stepped up this season and held strong for us. Fiona, we’ve asked her to step into multiple positions and put a lot of responsibility on her, sometimes in big games, and she’s shown up for us. She’s someone the girls look up to and have since she was a sophomore.”
“When Easter has been in net for us, she’s done a great job. And even if one of the three isn’t on the field, whatever their role is that day, they always find a way to lift the team up,” Caponigro said. “Sam, Fiona and Easter all bring different positives to our team in different ways,”
Cardinal Spellman will host No. 10 Dover-Sherborn on Monday at 5 p.m.
