It's been great, honestly, I wouldn't want to play with any other team. Our chemistry is insane. I've never been so close with any other team in my life. We're like, family. We just got off to a bad start.”

Senior co-captain Garrett Skov

The Westport Wildcats left their hearts on the field Monday evening, losing to a strong Bromfield team 3-0 in a Division 4 final four matchup in Watertown. It was the Wildcats’ first and last loss this year and ends their season with a record of 19-1-2. They won the state championship in 2023 and have now gone to three final fours in the last five years.

“Hold your head up, It was a helluva season,” assistant coach George Stelljes said as he comforted senior co-captain Garrett Skov on the somber Westport sideline after the game.

And it was. The Wildcats were undefeated through the regular season and three straight tournament games before running into second seeded Bromfield, a juggernaut with a record of 19-1-2 and a pedigree of 11 state championships through three different divisions, the last in 2022.

“It's been great, honestly,” co-captain Garrett Skov said after the loss. “I wouldn't want to play with any other team. Our chemistry is insane. I've never been so close with any other team in my life. We're like, family. We just got off to a bad start.”

It was a crisp 36 degrees at the 7:15 p.m. game time. Westport left the cozy greyhound-style bus at 6 p.m. to warm up, after an hour and 15-minute ride.

It didn’t take long for the action to heat up. Bromfield stunned the Wildcats and took an early 2-0 lead, scoring just four minutes into the game and then adding a second goal 10 minutes later. 

The first came when Bromfiel’ds Liam Glew kicked the ball past Westport senior goalkeeper Elijah McGonigle (10 saves) during a skirmish in front of the goal, and his brother Conor Glew headed the ball over McGonigle and into the net. Next, Westport blasted the ball out and a Bromfield midfielder boomed it right back in from 35 yards out. Glew headed it in after another McGonigle save for a quick 2-0 lead.

“Things we've talked about that have been problematic for us even during this great run, was an inability to clear balls in the box,” head coach Chris Parker said. “And at times not getting to second and third balls. And that's exactly what dug us into that hole.”

After the wakeup call, Westport began to play better. Offensive stars Austin Raposo (18 goals), Tiago Rodrigues (16 goals), and Carter Couto (16 goals), never quit attempting to score against the Bromfield six-foot defensive back line, while McGonigle, Skov and the defense staved off several Bromfield scoring bids to keep the Wildcats in the game. 

“I know that we could have beaten this team,” said Skov. “I think everyone here knew that. Except once they got the lead, it's a lot tougher to play from behind.”

The Wildcats attack had chances to score off several corner kicks and direct kicks, but couldn’t kick one past Bromfield goalkeeper Jacob Dangel, who made six saves.

Late in the game, Bromfield added a third goal as the Wildcats added pressure to get on the scoreboard. 

“It was just all about playing direct and trying to get one to put pressure on them,” Coach Parker said. “They're dangerous in the attack. They've got a lot of skilled kids. But to give up those two goals early and to hold it there and to get all those opportunities in the second half including a ton of set pieces, corner kicks, free kicks … We had our chances to at least get one and really tighten up this game. Unfortunately, we couldn't capitalize.”

Before the long bus ride home, Coach Parker consoled his players.

“This is the hardest working team that I’ve had in nine years,” he said. “You were a joy to be around. It was hard to dig out of a hole to a very good team. It’s a credit to you guys. You never quit. You are all heart and you’re dynamite young men. I’m proud of you and I love you all and appreciate your efforts tonight.”