A Season to Remember: Westwood’s Grit Carries Them to the State Quarterfinals, falls to undefeated Nashoba Regional

November 8, 2025
 
The Westwood Field Hockey team’s remarkable postseason run came to an end Saturday night, as the No. 10 seed Wolverines fell to unbeaten No. 2 Nashoba Regional 3-0 in the MIAA Division 2 Round of 8.
 
It was a familiar matchup — a rematch of the 2021 Division 2 State Championship — with another trip to the Final Four on the line. Coming off their stunning upset of Masconomet, which snapped a 17-game win streak, Westwood arrived ready to challenge one of the state’s best.
 
From the outset, Nashoba controlled possession, attacking relentlessly through the first quarter. But Westwood’s defense — led by goalie Moira Kenneally and defenders Mary Lou Cocivera, Gillian Walsh, Ciara Shevory, and Abby Presley — stood tall. Kenneally was sensational between the pipes, recording 12 saves by halftime, including several point-blank stops that drew gasps even from the Nashoba faithful. Her poise, along with the unit’s communication and clears off rebounds, kept the game scoreless through two quarters of high-intensity playoff hockey.
 
Westwood began to find its rhythm in transition, with captains Mary Lou Cocivera and Bridget Hughes sparking breakouts that led to dangerous chances from Julie Hogan, twice nearly sneaking one past Nashoba’s keeper. As the horn sounded for halftime, the Wolverines had battled the powerhouse to a 0-0 stalemate.
 
Early in the third quarter, momentum shifted. Nashoba capitalized on a penalty stroke, breaking the tie less than a minute in. Riding that energy, they added two more goals in a three-minute span to extend the lead to 3-0 heading into the final frame.
 
True to form, Westwood never folded. The Wolverines dictated the pace in the fourth, earning multiple penalty corners and pressing deep into Nashoba’s zone — a testament to their grit and belief. Despite the push, the comeback fell short, and Westwood’s season concluded with a hard-fought 3-0 defeat.
 
While the loss stings, the legacy of this group shines bright. After an uncertain start to the year, the Wolverines caught fire — closing the regular season on a seven-game win streak, capturing the TVL Large title outright, and storming into the state quarterfinals. Their unity, resilience, and leadership — especially from the senior class — defined one of the most complete and inspiring seasons in recent program history.