Even though the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls' Soccer team isn't as strong as it was a year ago, the 2015 team is equal to the 2014 New England runner-up when it comes to work ethic.
All those practices of working hard finally got a positive result as the Titans beat Class A Northfield Mount Hermon 4-0 on the road Oct. 21.
"Overall we played a very good team game, from our goaltending, defense, midfield to our forwards," Coach Don Nicholson '79 said. "A couple of our goals were on balls played through the Northfield defense to our feet – good combination plays. And, obviously, Katie Cronin '17 had a great game with three goals. She worked well with Annika Bruce '17.
"The girls worked hard. They've been working hard in practice. I always tell them if you can work really hard all the time, you will play great when the opportunity comes."
WMA snapped a five-game losing streak, climbing to 3-6 overall and 3-5 in New England play.
"I was proud of the team," Katie said. "We've been working hard. The last few games we've tried to turn the season around, and against Northfield we got it done."
The Titans' defense of Val MacEachern '17, Julia Sparago '17, Maria Baltazar '19 and Julia Pelletier '21 got it done all game, helping goalie Payton Grande '16 and the team post the shutout.
"Two juniors, a freshman and a seventh grader stymied a physically strong and tall Northfield team," Coach Nicholson explained. "Our girls didn't back down. We bent at times, but when they had opportunities we made sure they weren't quality opportunities. The defense was outstanding."
Katie scored twice in the first half, including once on a penalty kick after being taken down in the box, and once in the second half. Annika scored in the second half and assisted on two of Katie's scores.