The Somerville High Girls Soccer team qualified for the Division 1 North tournament for the third consecutive season.

By Mike Rubin

Meg Hennessey caused nightmares for the Somerville girls soccer team. The midfielder led the way for Winchester, recording a hat trick and an assist as Winchester erupted for five first half goals en route to a 6-0 drubbing of the Somerville Highlanders in Sunday’s Division 1 North preliminary round action at Knowlton Stadium.

With the loss, the Highlanders, who were 5-1-3 at the season’s midpoint, finished the season with a 6-9-3 overall mark.

Despite the early exit, coach Jason Lenicheck was more than pleased with the team’s efforts.

“Winchester has a tradition enriched in girls soccer, and we got off to a slow start in the first half,” said Lenicheck. “We were able to make the tournament for a third consecutive season, and that’s something that we should be proud of as a program. The girls fought hard and they gave it a great effort all season long. They have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Also contributing for the Sachems was Emmy Stratton and Remi Dire, who recorded a goal apiece, while Olivia Gjetsby and Celia Litchfield also delivered an assist apiece.

After an early goal by Hennessey, the Sachems struck again for the 2-0 lead. Off a shot from just outside the 30-yard line, the ball landed just passed the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Kelsey Garrity midway through the first half.

Minutes later, Hennessey struck again for the Sachems, this time converting on a penalty kick after a Sachem forward was fouled inside the box.

Following another goal by Dire off an odd player rush, the Sachems capped their first half scoring surge with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. Off a pass from the right side, Stratton rifled a shot that landed past Garrity in the top corner for a commanding 5-0 halftime edge.

In the second half, the Highlanders countered with several adjustments, and recorded several shots on net, primarily by leading scorer Natalie Henrique, but failed to penetrate through the Sachems defense.

Securing the hat trick, Hennessey would cap the scoring, executing a shot form just outside the 20-yard line that slid through Garrity as the Sachems rolled to the 6-0 win.

“It was a great season, and we just got off to a slow start,” said Lenicheck. “In the second half, we improved with our play, but by then it was just too much of a hole to climb out of.”

In last Wednesday’s regular season finale, the Highlanders succumbed in a 4-3 defeat to Austin Prep. Despite finishing the campaign with a below .500 mark, the Highlanders were still able to secure a tournament bid following a second place finish in the Greater Boston League.

After a slow start, the Highlanders climbed back to a 2-2 halftime tie with goals by Henrique and Karolina Nunes.

Regaining momentum, the Cougars reestablished a two goal lead before the Highlanders closed the gap within 4-3 on a header by Leslie Aviles, who finished off a corner kick by Mararra Goncalves.