RallyNorth.net

Defending state champion Central eliminated

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." 

No. 9 Central lost 5-0 to No. 8 seed Concord-Carlisle in the first round of the Division 1 North tournament.

Corcord-Carlisle junior Andrea O'Brien, who already has committed to play soccer at Boston College, Grange said, netted the contest's first goal 7 and a half minutes into the game.

She added another goal 5 minutes later to put Concord-Carlisle ahead 2-0.

O'Brien was the Dual County League's top scorer last year, pouring in 26 goals and adding seven assists.

"We knew if we could stop her, we'd give ourselves a chance," Grange said.

But Central couldn't stop O'Brien.

Concord-Carlisle held a 2-0 lead at halftime.

The Raiders, who finished their season with a 12-4-2 record, dominated the first 12 minutes of the second half, Grange said, but were unable to score. 

It might have been a different game if Central could have scored a goal in the first 12 minutes of the second half to cut the deficit to 2-1, Grange added.

Raiders goalie Kate Mahoney stopped five shots.

"We gave it our all," Grange said. "We never gave up all season. It's Disappointing to go out like this but there's no reason to hang our heads."