Wellesley punches ticket to final

WELLESLEY — Momentum in Wellesley’s pursuit for a state title picked up with a sectional-quarterfinal win over Needham and since that game there has been no slowing down the Raiders.

Chelmsford provided just a mere roadblock last night for Wellesley in the Division 1 state semifinals as the Raiders exploded early and defeated the Lions, 12-5, at Babson College’s MacDowell Field.

Wellesley (22-3) advances to its first state final on Saturday against the winner between Walpole and Longmeadow.

“We truly looked at it like we’re on a mission,” said Wellesley coach Michelle Cook. “The turning point was the Needham game. We realized our potential 100 percent. We are now carrying that momentum into every single game . . . . We don’t want this season to be over by any means.”

Wellesley jumped out to a 6-0 lead to put Chelmsford (22-3) on its heels. Five different Raiders provided the goals in this quick start.

The Lions battled back with two tallies each from Maya Dube and Erin Green but Wellesley went into halftime with an 8-4 lead.

Wellesley seized control in the second half with long offensive possessions and strong defensive play negating any comeback effort.

Bridget Noonan (three goals), Caitlin Chicoski (three goals) and Grace Ahonen each scored within a three-minute span to open up an insurmountable 11-4 lead with 8:27 left. Meanwhile, the Wellesley defense held Chelmsford scoreless for the first 20 minutes of the second half.

It was the seventh straight contest the Raiders held an opponent to a single-digit goal total.

“It truly comes down to our team dynamic and team chemistry,” Cook said. “If we did not trust each other on the field, there’s no way we would be able to have a defense like that.”

The game did have an odd ending as officials called it with 1:56 left due to lightning.