HANOVER — Norwell head coach Rob Williams admitted he held some things back when the Clippers faced Hanover on Wednesday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
The two nonleague rivals and Division 3 powers could very well see each other in a few weeks with much more at stake. But the strategic move from Williams didn’t change the outcome on the field for Norwell.
The Clippers received a goal and an assist from junior midfielder Ally Kelley while also getting another standout defensive performance to take down the Hawks, 2-0, at a rainy Harry Gerrish Memorial Field.
“We knew kind of where we were going to be, even regardless of how this game ended,” Williams said. “It’s obviously mentally good to have that win over a team that you could see deep into the tournament.”
The marquee win over Hanover (13-3-2) continued the momentum Norwell (14-2-2) will carry into the postseason. The Clippers, who fell in the state semifinals to Nipmuc last year, are riding a 10-game unbeaten streak and have outscored their opponents by an eye-opening 51-3 margin over that stretch.
“Obviously, the work starts now,” Williams said.
Norwell cashed in on limited scoring opportunities against Hanover beginning in the 26th minute. Lexie Davos got the play started with a long throw-in, and Kelley volleyed in a bounding ball with a defender on her back for a gritty goal and a 1-0 lead.
Kelley was also involved in a key insurance goal with the Hawks pressing for the equalizer in the second half. Kelley made a sensational through-ball pass to Hannah Morse, who got behind the defense and buried her chance with 11:18 left in the contest.
“Me and Hannah have known each other for so long, so I feel like we just click really well on the field,” Kelley said. “When she’s making that run through, I just know when to play it.”
Norwell senior goalie Elle Robinson (four saves) wasn’t challenged often, but kept the Hawks off the scoreboard late in the first half with a terrific charging save on Maggie Killgoar.
Robinson’s showing in net plus a team-wide commitment to playing lockdown defense was key in the Clippers posting their 10th shutout of the season.
“It starts from the front,” Williams said. “The midfield has the work rate and then the defense stays organized.”
