Westborough 2, Algonquin 0: Rangers get vengeance and a girls soccer sectional title

Two of the top three teams in the Central Massachusetts faced off on Saturday afternoon at sun-splashed yet chilly Wachusett High school in the Division 1 Central final for girls soccer.

The No. 1 overall seed Westborough — which lost just one game all year, to Algonquin — took on a third-seeded Tomahawks team that lost just two games itself during the regular season.

In the end, it was the Rangers who captured the first sectional title in program history and avenged their only loss of the season, beating Algonquin 2-0.

They will now move on to play the West champion (either Pittsfield or Minnechaug) in the state semi finals on Tuesday at Westfield State University (5 p.m.).

The Rangers improved to 18-1-2 while Algonquin's season ends at an impressive 15-3-3.

"This is unbelievable," said a jubilant Westborough coach Paul Mumby. "We had so many injuries coming in that I didn't know if we could do this. But to be able to avenge our only loss of the season and make some history in the process is just an incredible feeling. I'm so happy for them."

"It just wasn't our night," Algonquin coach Scott Taggart said. "We had some bounces go against us and they got that early goal which was big. I'm proud of the season we had but obviously disappointed for my seniors."

It took just seven minutes for the Rangers to strike first. Sophomore midfielder Rakasa Pattanaik found senior forward Olivia McGourty with a pretty pass. McGourty then brilliantly dangled through four Algonquin defenders, turned and fired a shot that tucked itself inside the far right corner of the net for the 1-0 lead.

"We've never done anything like this it's unreal," said McGourty. "Usually my nerves are nutty but for some reason I was really calm today. I just got that ball and knew I had to finish."

Algonquin carried the pace of play for a large chunk of the second half, and in fact had a chance to tie the game with 34 minutes left but a header by senior Lucy LeBlond just grazed the cross bar over the head of Rangers senior goalie Margo Murphy.

LeBlond also hit the cross bar on a free kick with 21 minutes remaining.

Westborough then took its 2-0 lead with 25 minutes to play in the game.

Pattanaik took a beautiful lead ball from junior Jenna Thomas, made a move and ripped a shot. The ball was deflected by Algonquin senior keeper Sarah Jackson, then off of classmate Alisha Faherty and it trickled into the net.

"We really wanted to make sure we got to them early and we really wanted to make up for that loss to them earlier this year," said Pattanaik. "It's just an amazing feeling to be able to do this."