It’s been a long soccer season for both of the Division I girls soccer state championship contenders. Playing a combined 38 games for both No. 6 Franklin and No. 4 Natick, the season will reach its ultimate end on Saturday at Doyle Field in Leominster for the championship game.
Saturday will be the Panthers’ first state tournament final appearance since 2012.
To reach the final, Franklin shut out Concord-Carlisle 2-0 in the semifinal round.
In the quarter finals, the Panthers faced Hopkinton, winning 4-3 on their home field.
In its first game of the post-season, in the round of 32, the Panthers took down Shrewsbury 4-2. In its next game, Franklin scored two when it faced Lincoln-Sudbury Regional in the round of 16.
During the regular season, the Panthers went 9-5-2. Franklin ended its season with a 4-2 loss at the hands of Bishop Feehan High School. However, they were able to turn their play around to make it to the state title game.
Scoring 10 goals in their post-season run, the Panthers will look to continue their dominate performance. Natick goalie Katie McMahon recorded 14 saves in net during its semifinal game. Franklin will have to find a way to get the better of her to ensure its state title.
If Franklin were to come out on top Saturday, it would be the No. 6 seed’s first state title since its last appearance in the championship game in 2012.
Natick also had a shutout game in the semifinals, putting five past Belmont Tuesday evening to punch its ticket to Saturday’s matchup. The semifinal shutout was its third clean sheet of its state tournament run.
Saturday, the Redhawks will attempt to reclaim their state title from 2023 after falling in the semifinal round last season to Bishop Feehan.
During its state tournament run, Natick has scored 15 goals against opponents, highlighting a strong offense that the Panthers will have to defend vigilantly after allowing five goals during the tournament.
The Redhawks’ first tournament win came in the round of 32. Natick shut out Boston Latin School 5-0 to kickstart its run towards the championship game.
In the round of 16, the Redhawks had a close game against Westford Academy. Ultimately winning 2-1 after one period of overtime.
For its quarterfinal game, Natick again shut out its opponent. Winning 3-0 against Braintree to return to the tournament stage it was knocked out in last year.
With both teams coming off shut out wins, Saturday’s championship game is set to be the battle of defensive strength and offensive pressure.
Franklin and Natick will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at Doyle Field.
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