The Walpole Girl’s Soccer Team arrived at Bird Middle School on Tuesday September 7 anxious for their first game of the season, against Braintree.  Last year, Walpole lost to Braintree the first time they met but came back to tie them later in the season.  With great anticipation for the new season, and a new start, the Rebels were hungry for a win.

When the whistle blew for the start of the game, both teams were confident and prepared to work; especially senior Tori Hebner, junior Lizzy Almeda, and sophomore Emma Comiskey who all were back and healthy again after sitting out a year due to ACL injuries.  Starting forwards freshman Lauren Reagan, sophomore Steph DeSantis, and junior Rachel Macmillan created many opportunities with the midfield but were not able get a goal off of them.  For about three fourths of the game there was no score, but in the middle of the second half a Braintree breakaway ended in a goal.  This put the score at 1-0, Braintree on top.  Both teams were growing tired as the game drew on since they were just getting back into the swing of an 80 minute game.  A little frustration eventually built up and culminated when junior Lizzy Almeda got a yellow card for kicking the ball far out of bounds after a stoppage in play.  This resulted in a delay of game and a yellow card.  In the remaining ten minutes, a Braintree forward dribbled into the box while the Walpole junior goalie, Tabby Michaelidis, came out to stop her, but was unsuccessful. Braintree finished the ball in the bottom left corner of the goal—bringing the score to 2-0.  The game ended shortly after that last goal and the final score was Braintree 2, Walpole 0.

After the game, junior Suzy Gallivan said, “For the most part we were outplaying them. After they scored we let down somewhat but there were definitely some people who stepped up and kept playing their best.”

Coach Jen Mead recognized many players who had continuously worked hard and should be exemplary to other players on the team – including Reagan and Michaelidis.

Leaving the field from their first game with a loss was not what the Rebels had hoped for, but each player took note that they still need improvement in their game. Gallivan said, “We need to keep working on the little things to keep us together and we will all benefit from all of the work.”