Historic Milestone for St. John Paul II Girls Soccer Team
This past weekend in Hyannis, the St. John Paul II girls soccer team made history by advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time ever. The Lions, ranked No. 6, secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over No. 11 Monson in the Div. 5 Round of 16 of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament. The lone goal of the match came early when Emma Collette found the back of the net in just the second minute of play. Collette’s shot from the right side was deflected into the net by a defender, giving her team the crucial lead they needed to hold onto.
Solid defense was key for the Lions, particularly with Meah Dalrymple putting in a strong performance to neutralize Monson’s top scorer, Hannah Murphy. Other defenders like Kiera O’Malley, Devin Crofford, Ariel Thompson, and Maddy Boyle also played essential roles in keeping Monson from finding an equalizer, demonstrating teamwork and determination throughout the match.
Other High School Sports Highlights
In other high school sports action, Dennis-Yarmouth girls field hockey continued their impressive run, beating No. 3 Newburyport with a score of 1-0. Brooke Chicoine scored the only goal in the third quarter, ensuring the Dolphins advanced to the Final Four. Four eighth graders played starters for Dennis-Yarmouth, making it a notable achievement for the young team.
Meanwhile, in volleyball, Bourne’s Canalmen secured a solid victory of 3-0 against Wareham, leading them to the Final Four in Division 5. Players like Nola Timo and Mayla Muldoon contributed significantly to this win, showcasing their skills on the court.
The Barnstable boys faced Brookline in a Division 1 match, ending their season with a 3-0 loss. Teagan Geraghty‘s performance with 18 assists was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging game.
On the running front, the Dolphins’ girls cross-country team finished third at the Division 3A race at Wrentham, qualifying for the Meet of Champions next Saturday at Fort Devens. Olivia Pendleton notably achieved a personal-best time to lead her team.
As local teams navigate the tournament series and races, the spirit of competition and sportsmanship continues to shine through in Hyannis and beyond.
