The Porkers have started off their season strong with a record of 7-0.On Saturday September 28, the Porkers competed against Franklin, one of the biggest threats for the Porkers so far in the season. Despite a strong effort from Panthers,the Porkers took a 3-0 victory home with them.
The first half began with Walpole’s starters anticipating the best Franklin could give them. The game began and the Porkers were off to a strong start, but the Franklin team was going to be tough to beat. It was minutes of players fighting each other for ball possession until senior Captain Lina Feeley eventually scored with five minutes into the game.
Franklin was not discouraged by the Porkers goal, once the clock started and the referee blew the whistle Franklin tried to redeem themselves. However, Walpole over-powered Franklin’s defense and only minutes later senior Captain Brooke Matherson put on home. The rest of the first half was a battle between Franklin and Walpole for ball possession; it was fast-paced and over before any team could score again. At the end of the first half, Walpole led 2-0.
In the second half, Franklin came out strong, but Walpole was able to endure the attack of Franklin’s offence. With the circle jammed with players, Walpole’s junior Molly Lanahan was able to score a scrap goal early in the second half. Every shot on net was followed by a gasp by all of the spectators either hoping the home team would score or hoping that the defense would find a way to block the shot, and take it out of harms way.
It seemed like it took a lifetime until Walpole had gotten Franklin out of their end, but when they did they took every shot they could. But Franklin resisted the power of the Porkers. The rest of the half was filled with fighting between the two teams for scoring and field position; each team carried the ball an equal amount of time. Yet, Franklin was hoping to score and redeem themselves after the first half and Walpole was hoping to score another goal to keep a hefty lead on Franklin.
The clock was winding down, but Franklin’s hopes were not yet crushed. Walpole’s net was clear of Franklin players due to the fact that Walpole had traveled down to Franklin’s net and was blasting shot after shot on net hoping that one would make it through. After numerous shots were denied entry to the net, one slipped by the goalie and went to the back of the net. Screaming and cheering broke out among the girls and the spectators, the screaming came from Franklin’s goal the Porkers had scored at 12:43. At that point the fans knew that it was all over, Walpole had just gained a three point lead with only 17:57 left in the game.
Franklin and Walpole battled it out to the end neither team wanting to show mercy to one another. The game came to an end with the score 3-0 Walpole. Each team came together at the end and then proceeded to shake hands, with their goalies leading them in. Franklin put up a fight, but in the end the Porkers prevailed and they added another victory to their collection, and are one step closer to the State Championship.
