The undefeated Westport soccer team returns to Final Four after coming back to beat 19th seeded Gardner 2-1 in a Division-4 Elite-8 battle at home on Wednesday afternoon. The 6th seeded Wildcats with a record of 17-0-2 will face 2nd seeded Bromfield (15-1-2). It’s the third final-four appearance for Westport in the last five years. Their first time as a D-4 team. The Wildcats last won the D-5 state championship in 2023. 

 

“It feels awesome,” said senior co-captain Carter Couto. “It was a great win.” 

 

Senior center back Garrett Skov scored the game winning goal with 16 minutes left to play, breaking a 1-1 tie. 

 

“He was due,” said head coach Chris Parker. “We’ve been waiting all season, as he’s gotten closer and closer and more dangerous and lately he’s been there play after play, so it’s not surprising to me at all that Garrett would carry us to victory.”

 

Gardner strikes first, leads 1-0

With a sideline full of fans including players from the 2023 championship team, the Wildcats, who pushed the limits in an intense, scrappy, aggressive game found themselves down 1-0, after Gardner senior Isaac Aviles broke a scoreless tie in the second half with 35 minutes to play. 

The midfielder flipped the ball into the goal by a splayed Wildcats goalkeeper Elijah McGonigle, after a Gardner corner kick flew over the scrum and practically landed at his feet. 

 

“They really brought it,” said Couto. “We weren’t expecting that.”

 

“Goals are hard to come by especially in the playoffs,” said Coach Parker. “Most tournament games are decided by one goal. You have to put shots on frame. You got to give yourselves a chance.”

 

Raposo evens the score

Two minutes later junior striker Austin Raposo knotted the score 1-1, blasting a kick off the inside of the crossbar and it fell into the goal. 

Midfielder RJ Ferreira forced the ball out of bounds at the goal line setting up a Preston Carvalho corner kick with 32:30 left to play. The sophomore lofted a kick into the goal box; it grazed off teammate Joey Guild’s head and flew to the far corner of the field. Senior central-midfielder Landon Novo retrieved the ball and passed it into Raposo and he wheeled and kicked it, from the top of penalty box.

 

“It came off his foot so quick,” said Coach Parker. “It was a huge lift. The goal reversed the game and we felt like we were back in control.”

 

Keeper makes monster save

“The game got a little scary after the goal,” said Coach Parker. “It became wide open and that’s what Gardner wanted, a track meet.”

 

With 20 minutes left to play, McGonigle, the Wildcats senior goalkeeper, made a monster save to keep the score tied. He made 6 saves during the game and has played well all tournament long, allowing just three goals in three games. Aviles the Gardner striker, received a midfield pass on the left sideline and airmailed a wind-fueled kick from 35-yards out. The ball had eyes for the top-right corner of the goal, but the senior keeper dove like Superman across the goalmouth and fisted the ball out of danger. After the scare, Coach Parker called a time out and got the Wildcats back on track.

 

“I told them that we have to play more composed and settle the ball,” he said. “We can’t get caught watching, defensively, because that kid was good.”

 

Coach Parker inserted CJ Leblanc into the game and put he and Preston Carvalho on Aviles and the duo kept the striker at bay the rest of the game. 

 

Skov seals the deal for Westport 

Garrett Skov scored the game winner four minutes later. The senior center back had struggled tirelessly to thwart the Gardner attack and help McGonigle and the defense keep the ball out of the Wildcats goal. 

After a Gardner penalty, senior midfielder Carter Couto lined up to take a direct kick from mid-field. Skov positioned himself in the goal box with the Westport forwards to ready for the kick. Couto lofted a perfect ball. Midfielder Tiago Rodrigues timed his jump well and headed the ball off the hands of Gardner sophomore goalkeeper Jacob Pelavin. The ball caromed upward and began to fall to the ground. Skov saw the play and reacted quickly. He stepped up and exploded a right-footed kick into the goal before it hit the ground. The jubilant Wildcats celebrated with their former teammates and fans in the far corner of the field.

 

“That was a senior willing his team to victory,” Coach Parker said of Skov. 

 

There were still 16 minutes left, but the Westport defense stymied Gardner, staving off a pair of corner kicks, while keeping offensive pressure in an attempt to score an insurance goal. 

 

“It was an all-around well-played game played by the team,” said senior co-captain Landen Novo. Everyone showed heart today. This group is truly special.” 

 

Next up: The Wildcats play Bromfield in the Final Four. Game time and field will be announced. 

 

“Bromfield, perennially, is final four team,” said Coach Parker. “They have a ton of state championships. But I believe we match up well against anyone. I like our chances. I know there won't be another team that will work us. So, it starts there. As long as we can continue our high work-rate which involves pressuring other teams and making them uncomfortable, typically you get your attacking opportunities, but it starts there. Work rate and defense.”