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Central Catholic girls soccer, being the defending Division 1 state champion, had a huge target on its back all season, coach Casey Grange said. 

"It's not easy defending a state title," Grange said. "They (the girls) had a target larger than their backs on their back all season." 

After battling Andover to a 1-1 tie two days earlier, Central Catholic's girls soccer team  was not emotionally high for Matignon yesterday, but the Raiders rallied for a 3-2 victory, scoring with only a minute remaining on an Alex Nagri goal assisted from Alexa Poulin, who had two assists on the day.

Senior Courtney Wilson made the most of her first start, combining with Kate Mahoney for the win as Central Catholic girls soccer whipped Matignon 7-2. Courtney Walsh scored twice while Megan Rauseo and Alex Poulin added a goal and an assist apiece.

Courtney Walsh celebrated her 16th birthday by scoring the lone goal in Central's 1-0 victory over Tewksbury.

Kate Mahoney, meanwhile, stopped three shots for her third straight shutout and her fifth shutout this season. 

Maggie Carey stepped up big-time for Central Catholic, shutting down Chelmsford's leading scorer as part of the Raiders' 2-0 victory. Sophomore Stephanie May also turned in a strong effort at defender in the victory.

Melody Rutherford was brilliant but her 21 saves weren't quite enough for Methuen as Central Catholic girls soccer prevailed 2-1. Alexa Poulin and Courtney Walsh scored for the winners.

Now that’s the way to proclaim, “We’re back!”
Last night at Lawrence Stadium, Andover toppled mighty Central Catholic, 1-0.
Not only is Central the defending Division 1 state champ, but the Raiders are ranked No. 2 in the Adidas/National Soccer Coaches Association of America national poll.
But No. 2 went down as senior midfielder Lauren Pien scored four minutes into the game and sophomore keeper Emily Wilson (8 saves) made it stand up.
“We knew going in we had a good team,” said eighth-year Andover coach Meghan Matson. “We knew this was the year we could give Central a run for its money.”
Central has gotten the best of Andover of late (5-0-1 in previous three years) but there was no fear in the Golden Warriors.
“They were super fired up and ready. I don’t think we were nervous,” said Matson.
It never hurts to get that first goal and Pien took care of that. She took a Hannah LeBlanc cross, settled the ball, maneuvered toward the corner and drilled the game-winner.
“It was a beautiful goal,” said Matson.
But there was a long, long way to go. Central didn’t go down quietly.
“They had some very good opportunities,” noted Matson. “Our goalie saved the game for us. And a minute after we scored, Sarah Van Antwerp cleared the ball off the line.”
Matson also gave praise to Michelle Gagnon on defense and Sophie Draper and Courtney Grygiel up top.
This signals the official return of historically strong Andover, which over the previous three years was just a combined two games over .500 (26-24-12).
Andover improved to 6-0-1 while Central dropped to 4-1. Despite its impressive start, Andover earned little respect. The Golden Warriors were unranked in the ESPN Boston top 20 statewide poll and didn’t crack the Boston Globe’s EMass preseason top 20. Central was No. 1 in both.
“We’ve been underestimated a bit,” said Matson.
Casey Grange, whose club lost for the first time since Game 2 of the 2010 season, had nothing but praise for Andover.
“You have to hand it to Andover,” said the second-year coach. “They definitely took it to us. I think it will help us in the end but it stings right now.”
She didn’t deny there was a lot of pressure being No. 2 in the US, which may have been the highest national ranking ever for a local team in any sport.
“It’s great to say we are the second best team in the country,” she said, “but everybody is gunning to beat the No. 2 team in the country. It’s not exactly easy. The better team won tonight.”

Staggering through a scoreless tie with Billerica, Courtney Walsh scored late in the first half and at the start of the second half to power Central Catholic to a 5-0 soccer victory. Walsh also assisted on the third Raider goal while defensive excellence was provided by Maggie Carey and Stephanie Nay.

Central Catholic girls soccer avenged the only loss of its 2010 state championship season, beating Danvers 4-1. Alex Riddle had a goal and an assist to lead the Raiders.