Lady Cougars to Play for New England Championship
Women’s Soccer Wins Regional Semifinal
(Fall River, MA) - The Lady Cougars soccer team will play for the New England championship on Monday afternoon after defeating Bristol CC 2-1 in the regional semifinals. The Cougars played their best game of the season on Sunday afternoon to claim the victory and earn the right to play for the regional crown. Holyoke will compete in the New England championship game for the program's 17th straight season, having won the title for the past eight years and in 12 of the last 14.
Gabriella Robert (Wilbraham, MA / Monson HS) led the way offensively for the Lady Cougars, scoring both goals for her team. Robert's first goal was a remarkable free kick struck from 45 yards out. Her second, the game winner, was a blast off the far post taken from inside the eighteen yard box. Robert leads the Cougars in goals and points this season and has tallied five goals in her last five games. Madison Grabowski (Easthampton, MA / Easthampton HS) was spectacular for Holyoke, controlling the midfield and assisting on both Cougar goals. The entire Lady Cougars team was phenomenal defensively, led by center-back Karina Volpe (Easthampton, MA / Easthampton HS). Holyoke stifled their opposition throughout contest, making scoring chances very hard to come by. Larissa Kingsley (Montgomery, MA / Gateway Regional HS) was a dominant force from her defensive midfield position.
Holyoke will travel to play Massasoit CC on Monday in the New England Championship. The regional final is set to kick off at 2pm. Let's go Cougars!
Photos: (Main) Robert (#23) takes a goal kick during Sunday's game with Volpe (#22) looking on. (Thumbnail) Grabowski (#10) plays the ball forward with Kingsley (#14) and Robert (#23) in support.
