Westbrook 2

Thornton Academy 1

It was close, but in the end the Westbrook Blue Blazes got the win, and that’s all that matters.

Ashley Clifford scored the game-winning goal with 9:38 to go in the second half to lead Westbrook to a 2-1 victory over visiting Thornton Academy Tuesday. Victoria Robertson also scored for the Blazes and Sarah Dunbar tallied the lone goal for the Trojans.

“We didn’t hustle back and we got caught off guard and they capitalized on our lack of readiness in the circle on that one,” Thornton coach Lori Smith said of the winning goal.

The Blazes didn’t waste much time finding the back of the cage. Olivia Hebert got the ball to Robertson in front of the net following a penalty corner. Robertson then buried the ball in the back of the goal for a 1-0 lead just under four minutes into the game.

“We didn’t talk, so there was some miscommunication,” Smith said. “I think often times we had two players near the ball and the player who should have played the ball didn’t, and the person who was reverse stick did and we lost the ball. There was a lot of disorganization especially in the beginning. We had a lot of defensive corners. (Westbrook) really hustled to the ball.”

The Trojans bounced back and controlled much of the early part of the second half. They got a handful of penalty corners but couldn’t get the ball past Westbrook goalie Elizabeth Conley, who made four saves. But the Trojans were putting the pressure on and it seemed to be a matter of time before they tied the game.

Just over eight minutes into the second half, Dunbar got the ball at the top of the circle and fired a long bouncing shot on net. The ball evaded Conley and the score was tied at one.

“I did a different lineup in the second half with Erin (Murphy) in the game,” said Westbrook coach Beth Murphy. “They got a little anxious. I think the defense was trying to get it out and they were overrunning the ball and they just weren’t playing their game. But I’ve got some good defenders down there. They battled, but I think they just wanted to do it for Erin, and we overplayed a little bit.”

Once things settled down in the second half, the Blazes settled as well and began playing their style again. They got a few penalty corners and seemed to be taking over the game again. That was when Knott got the ball to Clifford from just outside the circle. Clifford sent the ball flying toward the net and Thornton goalie Zoe Colton couldn’t get to it.

“Thornton tired out and that’s the key to the game in the second half,” Coach Murphy said. “If you continue to move to the ball good things will happen. If you beat them to the ball you can set up your teammates.”

The Blazes were able to hold off the Trojans over the final nine minutes as they tried in vain to net the equalizer. The Blazes improved to 6-3 with the win and Thornton dropped to 5-3-1.

“I was pleased with how we played,” Murphy said. “Thornton Academy has improved a lot but it came down to the second half. We stayed with it, cut to the ball, did a lot more talking and communicating with each other, backing each other up and playing the game we’re supposed to play.”