Swampscott has been a major threat in the NEC and Division 3 for the past few seasons. While Gloucester has been higher in the final power rankings for the last 2 seasons, Swampscott proved their dominance when they beat Gloucester in the season opener last year. Gloucester took the final game 2-1 and lasted longer in the playoffs than the Big Blue.
The Big Blue won in the season’s series opener, coming back from a first-half 1-0 deficit to win 2-1.
Mia Rodolosi scored the lone goal for the Fishermen in the matchup. Rodolosi collected a drive from Julia Palk at the 15-yard line, passing it to Fiona Black at the corner. Black passed it back to Rodolosi, who drove it to the left corner of the net from the 10-yard line.
The game was tight throughout the rest of the half, with both teams struggling to maintain possession.
The Big Blue tied the game during an offensive corner in the 3rd quarter, passing the ball across the net and into the corner of Gloucester’s net. Their next goal also occurred on a corner, but this time during the 4th quarter. The Big Blue passed the ball across the net again, but captain Keagan Jewell initially blocked their first shot. A Big Blue forward collected the rebound and shot it past Jewell, despite the junior’s diving save.
Along with the Fishermen’s struggle for control in the offensive circle, they also had two penalty cards on five-yard warnings. It was a strong game in the beginning, but multiple dirty plays and the torrential rain plagued the Fishermen. Olivia Madruga, Rodolosi, and Black all shined for the Fishermen, along with Jewell’s 11 saves. Their record dropped to 5-4 with the loss.
