Women’s soccer draws with Buccaneers on Senior Day

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST

By Avery Slavin

Staff Writer

The Framingham State Rams came to a draw against the Mass. Maritime Buccaneers in a conference matchup Oct. 25. 

This match brings their overall record to 6-7-4 and their conference record to 3-2-2.

The first shot of the game was by junior Ana Serrano, but it flew over the net. 

Less than a minute later, Sarah Campbell, a senior, aimed for the net, but the shot was blocked. 

At the six-minute mark, senior Madison Magone kicked the ball, and it sailed just outside of the net. 

Campbell attempted another shot, and it was saved by Mass. Maritime goalkeeper Brady Deschamps. 

A minute later, freshman Sarah Bashore’s shot was also saved by Deschamps. 

The Rams couldn’t seem to slow down, and Serrano and Leiyani Buckner, a freshman, both attempted to make a goal with five seconds in between shots, but both were blocked. 

Captain Cathryn Cooney, a senior, was next to try to get a point on the scoreboard for the Rams, but the ball veered wide. 

Sophomore Beyonce Gray’s shot also missed the net by a few inches. 

Framingham would not allow Mass. Maritime to get any action, and freshman Abigale King’s kick made the ball fly just outside of the goal. 

Bashore and junior Melissa Romeiro both tried to get the Rams ahead, but they couldn't get the ball past Deschamps. 

Bashore stayed quick on her feet, launching the ball toward the net. The shot was blocked and, just three seconds later, she made another attempt, only for it to be saved by Deschamps. 

Two minutes later, Sophia Thimm, a freshman, went for the goal, but Deschamps stayed strong on defense. 

Gray and freshman Lily Gouveia’s kicks sent the ball soaring above the net. 

Romeiro’s attempt to get the Rams a point was unsuccessful, the ball narrowly missing the net. 

Sophomore Hailey Ring made an attempt on goal, but Deschamps wouldn’t back down, blocking the shot. 

Ring tried again three minutes later at 43:36, but the ball was stopped. 

This was the last shot of the first half. 

Buckner started the second half with a shot within the first 15 seconds that just missed the net. 

Magone sent the ball toward the net, but the Buccaneers’ defense was too strong, leading to a blocked shot. 

Thimm made her second shot of the game, but unfortunately couldn’t make it past Deschamps. 

Captain Grayson Tellier, a senior, stepped up in an attempt to make the first point of the game.

Tellier didn’t let up, and she assisted Campbell in the first goal of the game, as well as her first goal as a Ram.

King tried to keep the momentum going, but shot the ball outside of the net. 

Buckner attempted a goal next, but Mass. Maritime continued to hold a strong defense. 

Campbell tried to throw a second point on the board in favor of the Rams, but it was shot too wide to make it into the net. 

King made another attempt, but didn’t get the ball past Deschamps. 

Mass. Maritime attempted their first shot of the game, with freshman Amelia Finley saving it with ease. 

Serrano tried to sneak the ball past Deschamps, but couldn’t break her defense. 

Cooney tried next, but Deschamps fought hard to keep the ball out of the net. 

Thimm’s next shot soared too high.

Thirty seconds later, Deschamps saved yet another shot from the Rams, courtesy of Romeiro. 

King kicked the ball next and it flew above the net. 

A minute later, she shot again, the ball going outside the net. 

The Rams didn't give up, and Serrano tried to get a point for Framingham. Deschamps didn’t give up either, and quickly grabbed the ball. 

At 77:20, Buccaneer Ayla Santoro scored Mass. Maritime’s first goal on a penalty kick. 

Immediately after, Santoro tried to get another point for the team, but shot too high. 

Karah Deveau also attempted a shot for Mass. Maritime, but was blocked by the Rams. 

King was next to attempt a goal, but it just missed the net. 

In the last few minutes of the game, Deschamps stayed focused and blocked two consecutive shots from Romeiro. 

Serrano sent the ball too high to make it in the net.

Two minutes later, Thimm’s shot veered too wide. 

Gray made the last goal attempt of the game, but the Rams still couldn’t break through Deschamps’ defense. 

The game ended with a final score of 1-1. 

Cooney said this was not the result the Rams wanted from this game. 

She said, “As a captain of this team, I’ve been trying to remind the team to stay as positive as possible and to keep pushing ourselves. One thing my dad reminds me of constantly is, ‘The best form of encouragement is praise.’ Since our tie on Saturday, I’ve been trying to continue to celebrate my teammates’ little victories in practice. 

“We have to keep pushing ourselves. Our season is not over yet. We have a huge game against Bridgewater on Saturday and if we can beat them, we’ll go up to third place, which gives us a better advantage in the MASCAC tournament,” she added. 

Campbell said while the result was a tie, she was happy with her Senior Day.

She said, “The juniors and underclassmen did such an amazing job of giving us seniors a phenomenal day. 

“Though we tied the game, I was thrilled to score my first Framingham State goal, and the experience has only fired me up to work even harder,” she added. 

She said as a senior, she is “extremely sad to be leaving this team, especially watching how quickly this program is becoming consistently strong. 

“I transferred into Framingham State last year, so I wasn’t here to experience the team culture before Coach La Francesca. Watching all the work he and everyone on the team are consistently putting into creating a winning culture, I am extremely sad that I won’t be here to experience the next few seasons,” she added. 

Cooney said, “As a senior, I’m going to cherish the friendships and great memories I’ve had over the past couple of years. 

“I’ve met lifelong friends by being an athlete at Framingham State, and I’m very grateful for that opportunity. I love the community of people I have gained playing soccer. Senior Day really reminded me that those friendships you make on the field don’t just stop after the season ends,” she added.

Thimm said, “I’m staying motivated by focusing on how far we’ve come as a team and knowing that every game still counts. Staying confident comes from trusting our training and keeping a positive mindset, giving 100% each time we step on the field.”

Campbell said, “I want nothing more than for us to win the MASCAC tournament and continue on. I always leave my all on the field, and Senior Day has only made me even more excited to leave everything I have on the field for the rest of our season.”

Bashore said, "I'm staying motivated by remembering all the hard work the team has put in since day one of preseason. 

“Confidence comes from preparation, and our team has definitely put in the work this season. I’m focusing on finishing strong and looking forward to continuing our run into the postseason,” she added. 

The next generation of Rams is excited to take on these next few years. 

Bashore said, “Being in a new environment and playing with new people at a higher level has definitely made me grow as a player this season. Coming in on day one of preseason, we had 11 new players, and the team talked about how this was going to be our ‘rebuilding year.’ 

“Our team has grown a lot this season, not only in how we play, but also in how we connect with each other. We have faced challenges and had tough games, but those moments have helped us progress and come together,” she added. 

Thimm said, “​​It’s been great adjusting to the team - everyone’s been really welcoming. The biggest thing I’ve learned is how important communication and teamwork are, both on and off the field.” 

The Rams host the Bridgewater State Bears in a conference matchup Nov. 1.