Sutton starts fast, tops Littleton in D4 girls’ soccer state semifinal

LEOMINSTER — It may have been experience, talent or a blend of both that enabled the Sutton girls’ soccer team to jump early on Littleton Wednesday night. The Suzies seized the early momentum to secure a 4-2 victory over the Tigers in a Division 4 state semifinal at Doyle Field.

The third-seeded Suzies (16-4-2) will play for their third straight state title when they face top seed South Hadley back at Doyle on Saturday at a time to be announced.

Littleton earned the No. 6 seed and finished 17-3-2, with one of those victories an upset of No. 3 Cohasset in a quarterfinal.

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Sutton scored within 90 seconds when junior captain Addy Jerome’s header found the back of the net. The Suzies doubled their lead, and Annika Stockhaus tapped home the result of a nifty display of foot skills and passing from Ava Magnuson just seven minutes into the game.

“We never turn down an early two-goal lead,” Sutton coach Jensen Shipp said. “Getting ahead early allowed us to settle down, and it was a confidence boost for us. This group has years of experience; many of them have played deep into the tournament for three straight years, so they’ve been in just about every situation.”

Magnuson, a sophomore captain, credited the fast start as a key to beating Littleton but taught her team’s challenging regular-season schedule readied the Suzies for their playoff run.

“I think if we played an easy schedule, we wouldn’t be as prepared,” she said. “The tougher teams force us to push ourselves, and the more we’re challenged, the better we get.”

The Suzies’ passing prowess was on display for their third goal. Jerome led Magnuson to a one-on-one with the keeper, and Magnuson scored her second goal of the night to give her team a 3-1 halftime lead.

Sutton got a strong performance from sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Nunnemacher, and she was supported by the steady play of the defensive trio of Abigail Jankins, Sarah Mendoza, and Molly Jenkins.

Sutton added another goal when Magnuson notched her second of the night to give the Suzies a 4-1 lead with 23 minutes left, but Littleton got a goal from Rachel Lennon just before time expired.

—Contact Tom Flanagan at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette:
Potent start powers Sutton girls’ soccer past Littleton in D4 state semifinal