Martlets Win Opener

Westminster made the short trip across town to take on Ethel Walker School in the season opening game. After a week of challenging weather that canceled both preseason scrimmages, the Martlets were excited to finally take the field against an opponent and kick off the start of the 2023 season. The Martlets started strong, immediately bringing the ball down the EWS side of the fight and sustaining pressure in the attacking 25. The first fifteen minute frame saw a lot of good looks to net for Westminster, but the score remained 0-0 while the team quickly regrouped before the start of the next quarter. Westminster earned a penalty corner just over a minute into the second quarter. Hadley Crowther ’25 inserted a ball to Allysen Whitehead ’25, who sent a shot to net that Caroline Justicz ’26 tipped in for the first Westminster goal of the season. Halfway through the quarter, Justicz scored again to give Westminster a 2-0 lead when she finished a pass from Olivia Gordon ’24 on the left post after the EWS keeper saved Gordon’s initial attempt. 

During the second half, the Martlets began to settle into the pace of the game and feel more comfortable on the field. Whitehead, Margaret Dilks ’24, and Sydney Courtmanche ’24 did a nice job on the defensive side of the ball, keeping the Martlets in the offensive end for the majority of the half. With six minutes left in the quarter, Olivia Emerson ’24 controlled a ball at the midfield and carried it down field before sending a pass to Gordon who was cutting towards the stroke mark. Gordon controlled the ball, spun around her defender to protect it, and sent a shot past the EWS goalkeeper to find the back of the net and bring the score to 3-0 in favor of the Martlets. It was a great start for Westminster as the team showed many characteristics of a hard-working team, while also recognizing several areas to work on as they look to improve as a team each day. The Martlets will return to action next Saturday afternoon against NMH on Hovey Field.