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The Winchester High field hockey team (13-5-2) began the Division 1 state tournament as the sixth seed. Since then, the Red & Black took care of Taunton (7-11-1, 27th seed) and Waltham (10-6-3, 11th seed) in the first two rounds by scores of 6-1 and 3-0, respectively.
The team is now scheduled to go up against a familiar foe Belmont (18-1-1, third seed) on Saturday (Nov. 14, 1 p.m.) in the Round of 8 at Belmont.
One year ago, the Winchester girls reached the state semifinal round, before Walpole eliminated them, 6-1. The Timberwolves then went on to shutout Franklin, 1-0 to secure the state title.
But that was then, and this is now. In the postseason opener against Taunton on Nov. 5, captain Brynn Henning paced the attack with two goals. Ellie Drake, Stella DeChristoforo, Claire McCoy and Jackie Vittiglio each tacked on one score.
Five days later against Waltham, Drake was credited with the team’s first goal on a penalty stroke. McCoy helped create the scoring opportunity on a breakaway that resulted in a penalty in an attempt to slow her down.
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The goals that followed started from corner shots in the second half. Captain Addy Aufiero set up Riley Pimentel for one of those scores, and DeChristoforo picked up an assist on a goal by Aufiero.
Sophomore Libby Jackson recorded her 10th shutout of the year to help her teammates advance to the state quarterfinals against aforementioned Belmont. But the story of the postseason so far was the way that the offense was able to open up, and match the team’s defensive prowess, which helped the Red & Black dominate both opponents.
Speaking of that defense, two of its most steady contributors this fall have been sophomores Liela MacLeod and Sophie Mango.
Coach Michelle White preaches good defense is a result of hard work and patience, and her players have exhibited that philosophy all year long. That effort was never more evident than in the last game against the Hawks, and now the offense is gaining in confidence, just in time as the season dwindles down to precious few games, three to be exact before a state champion is crowned.
Recent history shows that Winchester is one of the best programs in the state, and once again they have lived up to that reputation.
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He has been covering Winchester sports for the News since November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
