Forwards boot Cats past Case 3-1

Photos and story by Richard W Dionne Jr
Posted 9/25/18

Westport forwards Marianela Dutra Africano, Jesse Scov and Laura Martel each scored as the Wildcats beat Case 3-1 in a Mayflower League home game on Friday afternoon. The win boosts the Cats record …

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Forwards boot Cats past Case 3-1

Posted

Westport forwards Marianela Dutra Africano, Jesse Scov and Laura Martel each scored as the Wildcats beat Case 3-1 in a Mayflower League home game on Friday afternoon. The win boosts the Cats record to 5-1 overall.

“We have great players,” said Head Coach Gary Muello. “When they put it together and they play hard, we can compete with anybody. I’m really proud of them.”

 The Cats had a new look against Case.

“We lost to them last week,” said coach Muello.

Coach Muello remarked about assistant coach Sheldon Thibodeau’s suggestion moved midfielder Laura Martel to striker and moved speedsters Jesse Scov and Marianela Dutra Africano to the outside wings.

“The move creates a real problem for our opponents,” said coach Muello. “Laura stays high drawing two defenders with her which opens up space on the outside.”

The move worked like a charm as all three scored for the Cats.

Dutra Aricano blasted a shot by goalkeeper Julie Heaton from just outside the box to give Westport a 1-0 lead at 17:33 into the game. The play was assisted by freshman Jesse Scov.

 

“Jesse and I were moving the ball up the middle of the field, passing it back and forth between defenders. I ran up, she passed it over and I shot it right over the goalkeeper’s head,” said Marianela Dutra Africano.

Case forward Gabby Veader beat Cats goalkeeper Alora DaFonseca to even the score at 1-1 at 25:59 into the game.

DaFonseca subbing for hurt goalkeeper Sofia Reed was voted player of the game by the Westport captains for her superb play.

“She was super nervous, but she played amazing. When they scored a goal, she never lost hope. She still played strong. I think that she really deserved it today,” said Ashley Fay.

Freshman winger Jesse Scov scored the Cats’ second goal at 58:24 into the game.

Scov collected a pass from Fay and flew with the ball, down the far right side of the field with a defender on her heels. She took a step and booted a line drive crossing shot over Heaton’s head and into the left corner of the net. 

“Her goal was beautiful. We all did a double take. It was gorgeous,” said Fay. 

“She booted a rocket,” said Dutra Africano.

Laura Martel scored the Cats third goal, heading a corner kick from Dutra Africano at the 73:50 mark.

Dutra Africano place a beautiful kick to the near side post. Martel headed the ball, directing it over a defender and over Heaton, dropping into the net.

“I don’t usually head the ball,” said Martel. “I really kind of hate it. When the ball came to me, I thought, why not.”

“I was a little awestruck,” said Fay.

“It doesn’t happen a lot,” said Dutra Africano. “We used to get pizza goals for that in middle school. If someone headed in a corner kick they’d get a full pizza.”

“Coach Teixeira used to buy the pizza at lunch and you’d split it with whoever assisted on your goal,” she said.

Meanwhile the Cats defense was busy shutting down Case goal scorer Meredith Castro.

“She’s a very strong player,” said Fay. “She’s a good goal scorer. She motivated us to play more defensively.”

“Our defense is about the entire team pressing together and defending as a team,” said Acadia Cass.

“We had a couple great strikes today by both Marianela and Jesse,” said coach Muello. “They both can strike the ball so well.”

“We had a substitute keeper in the game and she came up huge,” he said.

“We got a good team performance. We have great individual players, but it’s all about the team,” coach Muello said. 

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.