When both Boys and Girls Soccer faced off against Braintree on Thursday, October 25, they knew they needed to win. Both Rebel squads have been struggling all season to meet their goal of qualifying for the state tournament. While the girls had a record of 5-5-5 and needed two points that could come from a win, the boys had a  8-7-1 and needed at least one point which could come from a tie.

At home on Turco field, the girls set up for their senior night, which is a night dedicated to the seniors and their parents. This was an emotional night for most of the seniors, yet they could not allow it to affect them until after the game. They had a more important job: to make tournament by winning this game.

When the game started, the Rebels seemed to dominate but slowly fell back and played at Braintree’s pace. Despite this, the girls put two goals up on the board to make the score 2-0 before halftime. Junior Lauren Regan had the first goal with a nice cross from senior Captain Ella McMackin. McMackin then finished the half by scoring the second goal. With no more goals in the second half, the final score of the game was 2-0 — a victory that definitely made senior night unforgettable with the team’s playoff berth.

Meanwhile, in Braintree, the boys went up in the  first five minutes with senior Caleb Cofsky scoring his first career goal for the Rebels to make the score 1-0. The Rebels knew it was essential for them to to stay up, and with several key saves by junior goalie Peter Hoegler, the boys shut out Braintree and won with a final score of 1-0.

Also, the All-Star Teams were announced last night and Walpole had 7 soccer players nominated. Girls had two first team All-Stars — both senior captain Ella McMackin and her younger sister Abby McMackin were nominated. Ella McMackin was also named one of the best players in Eastern Massachusetts. Freshman keeper Kaitlin Brown also was recognized and received an Honorable Mention. For boys, senior captain John Lochhead and junior Bobby Ivatts were named All-Stars and the brothers — senior Captain Nolan Murray and junior Colin Murray — received Honorable Mentions.

Both teams play their last regular season games with two out of league teams this weekend. The boys play this Saturday, October 27, on Turco field at 5 against Bishop Feehan. The girls will travel to Franklin to play the third best team in the state on Sunday, October 28 at 5.