The legend of Kassidy Carmichael grows as she sends Westford girls' lacrosse to D1 title game with last-second goal
Another day, another fourth-quarter comeback, another winner for Kassidy Carmichael — this one with 1 second left for her ninth goal.
Absolutely unbelievable. What a game
— Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass)
'You want the ball in your best player's hands,' said Westford coach Julie Olivier. 'That's it. She is the best player. You can't stop her. She is so powerful.'
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Carmichael — who will play lacrosse and hockey at Ohio State and is a catalyst for the gold-medal-winning United States U18 women's hockey team — finished with nine goals.
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The Ghosts led 6-5 at halftime, then trailed 9-7 through three quarters and 10-8 with 4:35 left before storming back.
Westford Academy's Kassidy Carmicheal (center) is congratulated by teammates after scoring one of her nine goals.
Winslow Townson for The Boston Globe
'They're a very good team with an exceptional player that dominated the draw and dominated at their offensive end,' said Wellesley coach Steve Balter. 'That game, in my mind, came down to total possessions. We just didn't have enough of them.'
Abby Beggans paced the Raiders (19-5) with four goals before leaving in the third quarter with a non-contact knee injury. Olivia Comella added three, including one to put the Raiders up two late.
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Evie Weber trimmed it to one with 3:58 left, then Carmichael took care of the rest.
'It was either going to overtime or I was going to score,' Carmichael said. 'It was just a rush of emotions.'
Westford Academy's Kassidy Carmicheal splits Wellesley defenders Abigail Beggans (left) and Tara Battaglino.
Winslow Townson for The Boston Globe
As she gathered her team for a post-game huddle, Olivier encouraged her players to dream about a state title.
'We've been dreaming,' sophomore Mia Cullen chimed in, eliciting a laugh from the group.
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The Ghosts have already made history, but they're not here just to be here.
'Making it this far should tell teams that we're not a team to mess around with,' Carmichael said. 'We knew the playoffs are totally a different season. I think we came out a totally different team. I'm not going home with a second-place trophy.'
Wellesley's Kaitlyn Uller (7) celebrates her goal with teammate Olivia Comella.
Winslow Townson for The Boston Globe
Westford Academy's Kassidy Carmicheal has the ball knocked out of her stick by Wellesley's Abigail Beggans.
Winslow Townson for The Boston Globe
Westford Academy coach Julie Olivier instructs her team during their Division 1 semifinal win over Wellesley.
Winslow Townson for The Boston Globe
Trevor Hass can be reached at
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