Champs’ behavior offensive
Evangeline-led Suzies score title over Bishops
WORCESTER — Going into the Division 3 state championship game at Worcester State, the key difference between Sutton and Archbishop Williams girls soccer teams appeared to be experience.
Sutton had battled through four state finals in eight years while the Bishops were entering their first in school history. In the end, Sutton cemented that history of success with a 4-1 victory to add another title to its 2013 crown.
Katherine Evangeline led the offense for the Suzies (20-1-2) with three goals while Sarah Hicks added a goal and an assist. Chigozie Sumani scored the lone goal for the Bishops (20-2-2).
“Our girls figure out how to go and win. They don’t get rattled very easily,” coach David Payne said of his Sutton team, which lost keeper Naomi Falkenberg and center back Bridgette Donovan to injury.
In the 10th minute, Sarah Beachman found an opening in the center of the Bishops defense, then laid off a perfect ball to a streaking Hicks along the right wing. Hicks buried a shot past Archies keeper Kaylee Walsh to open the scoring, and the 1-0 lead held into halftime.
Two minutes into the second half, Evangeline doubled the advantage with her first goal, finishing a crossing pass from Sofia Elworthy. Four minutes later, a Bishops defensive breakdown afforded Evangeline the opportunity score her second goal. And in the 54th minute, Evangeline completed the hat trick from the back post by finishing a cross from Hicks with a careful volley.
“Kate’s kind of a rock star. She doesn’t act that way but from a talent level and skill level (but she is),” Payne said. “Three goals in 14 minutes, you can’t do much better than that.”
Archbishop Williams avoided the shutout with Sumani’s goal in the 77th minute. Sumani was able to poke home a ball from Mackenzie Heath in a crowded Sutton box.
“We have an awesome set of seniors and I’m going to miss each and every one of them,” Bishops coach Gordie McClay said. “We had a nice run through the tournament. I knew (the Suzies) were a good team ... they put out a better effort and to the victor comes the spoils.”