Hall Girls Soccer Tops Conard on Chieftains' Senior Day

It’s been a frustrating season for the Conard High girls soccer team, which lost three of its best players - including three-time all-conference player Caroline Murray - due to significant injuries.

The Chieftains season came to a close on Wednesday with a 4-1 home loss to crosstown rival Hall at McKee Stadium on Senior Day.

The Warriors were just too strong, as they led 3-0 at the interval on two goals scored by Chantelle Swaby and another by Kyanna Alleyne. Hannah Cho put Hall up 4-0 in the 43rd minute.

Conard could take some solace in scoring the prettiest goal of the game, as Abby Gosselin took possession in the box off a corner, whirled in one motion and struck the ball into the upper 90 on a gorgeous shot that people pay money to see.

With the victory, Hall improved to 12-1-3 (10-1-3 CCC West) on the year and is looking forward to the first-ever conference tournament and a high seed in the state Class LL tournament.

“We believe we can compete with anybody,” Warriors head coach Scott Ferguson said.

Conard, on the other hand, ended the year 4-11-1.

At the end of the match, Ferguson noted the challenges that Conard faced this year.

“I feel bad for Conard because they had so many injuries, especially on Senior Day,” Ferguson said. “They lost a couple of starters, so I think it was hard for them to play they wanted to at the end.”

Still, there was a silver lining in the season, according to Conard head coach Kerrie Massaro, who said she was proud of the way her team rallied and stuck together in the face of adversity.

“They had a good season; they improved,” Massaro. “Our kids have not put their heads down; they played hard. They have a great team chemistry. We look forward to next year.”

Massaro credited captains Molly Swanson and Murray for keeping the team focused.