Despite being ranked as the consensus No. 1 team in New Jersey, the girls soccer team came into the first round of the NJSIAA North 2, Group 4 Tournament as the No. 3 seed. The girls took on and defeated 14th-seeded Franklin in a dominant 3-0 performance.
The Blue Devils did not jump out to the smoothest of starts: Franklin had three shots on goal in the opening minutes of the game, but goalkeeper Sutton Factor was able to keep the Warriors off the board.
With 33 minutes remaining in the first half, Westfield developed its rhythm which led to a strike that found the back of the net powered by the foot of senior Chiara Cosenza. It was Cosenza’s team-leading eighth goal of her incredible senior campaign.
Speaking on Franklin’s defensive strategy, Cosenza said, “There was a split defense, they weren’t pressing me so I just wanted to take advantage of [the defense] and take my shot.”
The Blue Devils continued to apply great loads of pressure deep into Warrior territory, with multiple shots from seniors Emma Kelesoglu, Cat Angel and Bridgett Morrison. However, the Warrior defense picked up the intensity and prevented Westfield from adding on any additional goals before halftime.
The relentless Westfield defense forced early Warrior turnovers to kick off the second half. Angel and junior Ella Cadigan both had shots on goal in the first few minutes of the half, but the Warriors’ goalkeeper executed two great saves and prevented the Blue Devils from increasing their lead.
Not so fast, however, said Kelesoglu. After a mishap on the Franklin defense which led to a handball inside the box, Kelesoglu was gifted a penalty kick. Some might consider Kelesoglu a professional at penalty kicks after she sniped the game-winning PK in the county championship, and as the pro she is, Kelesoglu converted and increased the Blue Devils’ lead to 2-0.
As the half progressed and the crucial minutes on the clock ticked down, tensions on the Warriors side flared. Several of the Warrior players committed harsh fouls against the Blue Devils, giving Westfield more opportunities to put the game away.
Kelesoglu drew multiple fouls herself and said, “Franklin’s midfield defense wasn’t that strong so we were able to take spaces, and because there was a big gap in the midfield, it allowed us to advance the ball close to the goal to draw fouls.”
Many of these fouls led to shots on goal for Westfield, more from Angel and Cosenza, but the Warrior goalkeeper was able to make up for Franklin’s errors.
Halfway through the second half, Franklin had its only opportunity to close the gap and trim Westfield’s lead down to one as the Warriors sent a strike on goal that ricocheted off the top crossbar, and almost backspun into the net; however, sophomore defender Audra Toth was able to clear out the ball and keep the clean sheet alive.
With just four minutes left in the game, Westfield added onto its lead. Morrison tapped in on a Kate Giglio corner kick, giving Westfield the 3-0 victory. The girls punched their ticket to the next round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 Tournament. They will take on Ridge at home this Saturday in the sectional quarterfinals.
