For part of 2 of our look back at the Wellesley High year in sports we look at the winter season which provided a lot of everlasting memories for players and fans alike.
We start with the girls hockey team, fresh off a Division 2 runner up season in 2013-14, the girls once again showed why they are one of the top girls teams in Massachusetts, skating to a 16-1-3 regular season and a Bay State Herget Championship. The girls weren’t done there though as they cruised through the first two rounds of the tournament before meeting Medfield in the semifinals, and even though Medfield gave the Raiders quite the run for their money Wellesley pulled it out with a Kiely Noonan overtime goal to win 2-1 and advance to their second straight state championship game. In the title game they went up against Falmouth in a matchup of arguably the best two teams in the division, and the game certainly lived up to the hype as it was a back and forth affair that had to be settled in overtime. Unfortunately for Wellesley, a bad bounce lead to a breakaway goal for the Clippers and a 3-2 overtime loss. Even though the end was not was they had hoped this team and in particular the seniors left a legacy that will be remembered for a long time.
The boys hockey team also had quite the season going 14-2-4 in the regular season and capturing themselves a Herget title as well. The boys gained the number 2 seed in the Division 1 South and knocked off Bridgewater Raynham 8-4 in the opening round of the tournament. Unfortunately for the Raiders they ran up against a very tough 10th seeded Hingham squad in the quarterfinals and fell 4-0 to bring their season to a premature end. Despite the loss the boys team also left quite a legacy and a lot of great memories.
The girls basketball team entered a new era this past season as former boys coach Glen Magpiong took over for long time coach Kristen Cieri. Despite some uncertainty the girls battled their way to a 13-7 regular season and a home game in the state tournament. Unfortunately their opponent was the always tough Brockton Lady Boxers who were able to come in to Wellesley’s gym and walk out with a 49-42 win. While it was a tough way to go out the ladies have nothing to hang their heads about, and with a good core of players returning next season expectations will be high for the 2015-16 campaign.
The boys basketball team also entered a new era as former coach Mike Reidy returned to lead the Raiders. The boys also were able to battle their way to a tournament berth and a home game finishing with a 12-8 regular season record. After knocking off Bridgewater Raynham at home the team faced a monumental test in 3rd seeded Catholic Memorial, and despite keeping the game close throughout the Raiders fell 84-77. These Raider boys do have a lot to be proud of, as they proved night in and night out that you can never count out the red and black.
The boys swim team once again made it to the all state meet and have several competitors place in the top 20 in their events. Congratulations to the team on another remarkable season as they have set the bar very high for future teams.
The boys and girls indoor track teams competed hard this past year and the girls ended up taking home a Herget Division title with a 5-1 league mark while the boys finished 1-5 in 2014-15. Both teams will look to reload next year and once again take the Bay State Conference by storm.
Boys wrestling battled on the mats all season long and it showed as they finished with a 5-5 league mark and 6-8 overall good for 3rd place in the Herget Division. Coach Jessie Davis continues to lead that program to bigger and better things and I wish the team continued success as they start a new season in November.
Finally girls gymnastics captured a league title this past year going 8-1 both overall and in league play. The team finished a full 3 wins above the second place finisher Newton North and has a lot to be proud of.
Stay tuned tomorrow as I wrap up this retrospective with a look at the spring sports season.
Wellesley Sports Blitz 