BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity soccer team completed an improbable run to an ESIAC title last Friday, beating Saints Peter and Paul, 2-1, in the conference tournament championship game.
After starting the season a mediocre 2-2, the Mallards never lost after September and ran off seven straight wins to claim both the ESIAC regular season and conference tournament championships. Old rival Saints Peter and Paul figured prominently in the season for Worcester, which tied the Sabres, 1-1, in double-overtime back on October 2 for their last non-win on the schedule.
In the second meeting between the two teams last Monday, Worcester beat Saints Peter and Paul, 3-1, in the regular season finale to claim the ESIAC regular season title. Kaitlin Talbert, Laura Breslau and Mary Clare Regan all scored for Worcester in the regular season finale.
In the opening round of the ESIAC tournament, the same trio led the way for Worcester as the Mallards beat Salisbury Christian to earn a berth in the tournament title game. Regan and Talbert each scored two goals while Breslau added a single tally as Worcester advanced to the final and a rematch with Saints Peter and Paul.
On Friday, Worcester got out to an early lead on the Sabres behind two goals by Talbert, which would prove to be all the Mallards would need although Saints Peter and Paul did not go quietly. Worcester took a 2-0 lead into halftime, but the Sabres turned up the pressure and pulled to within one goal at 2-1 just seven minutes into the second half. However, Worcester settled into a groove and turned up the defense, keeping the score right there the rest of the way to finish a remarkable run and claim the conference tournament title.