Dighton-Rehoboth Girls Soccer Team Finds the Net Early and Often

REHOBOTH - Message to the rest of the South Coast Conference: The Dighton-Rehoboth girls soccer team can score, score quickly and score in bunches.

All the evidence was on the Falcons’ home field on Monday afternoon when they scored four goals in about 10 minutes in the first half en route to a commanding 9-1 SCC victory over Bourne.

“We had a lot of scoring,” D-R coach Trish Madsen said after the game. “There were certain things we wanted to work on today: Our communication, our passing and spreading the defense. We did those things well. I saw a lot of good things today.”

Senior captain Julianna DaCosta staked the Falcons to a 2-0 lead on goals in the third and 24th minutes. After Bourne responded with a tally of its own to cut the lead to 2-1, D-R pulled away with four quick goals, including three from sophomore Caroline Reed, between 29:00 and 39:00 of the first half to take a 6-1 lead into halftime.

DaCosta capped her hat trick with a tally in the 53rd minute and Sophie Murdock and Lily Nees added goals in the second half.

“Julianna is extremely quick and crafty with the ball,” Madsen said of her striker. “She knows how to put the ball on net.”

The Falcons improved to 6-2 and 5-1 in the SCC with a big game on Wednesday at Old Rochester. “They’re undefeated in the conference,” Madsen said of ORR. “We have to beat them to win the conference.”

REPORTERTODAY.COM MVP: Caroline Reed had two assists in addition to her hat trick, finding the net for the first time this season. “She’s been getting more and more minutes each game,” Madsen said. “I think that’s been helping her build her confidence. She let it go today.”

STRONG IN NET: Senior captain Meghan Reed allowed only one goal Monday against Bourne, her latest in a strong of good games so far this season. “Meghan is extremely strong as a keeper,” Madsen said. “She’s a great leader. When she’s on, she’s on, and there’s no better keeper in the conference than Meghan when she’s on.” Reed and the D-R defense are averaging 1.5 goals allowed this season (12 goals in eight games).

QUICK STUDY: Madsen was quick to point to the improvement of junior Emily D’Ambrosio, who has found a new position on the field due to some D-R injuries. “Soccer isn’t her No. 1 sport, basketball is, but you wouldn’t know it the way she’s playing,” coach said. “She played in the defensive central midfield spot today like she has been there forever.” D’Ambrosio scored for the Falcons in the 34th minute on an assist from Nees.

QUICK HITS: Julia Tavares and Bella LaBree also had assists for the Falcons. … D-R has scored 28 goals in eight games this season, good for a 3.5 a game. … Bourne won the JV matchup 2-0. … Bourne goalie Emma Bourgault made some outstanding saves on point-blank shots by the Falcons. Alyson Rego, DaCosta, Angel Correia, Margaret Saxon and D’Ambrosio all had solid scoring opportunities taken away from Bourgault’s solid play in net. … Freshman Ella Damon made some nice pays on defense for the Falcons. … Sophomore midfielder Lexie Menzes showed off her speed in the second half, running down a ball in the corner and outhustling a Bourne defender to the ball. … Caroline Reed almost had her fourth goal late in the game but hit the post. Nees was right there for the rebound for her goal. There's a video of the play on our Facebook page, The Reporter, and our Twitter page, @ReporterSports1.

UP NEXT: Wednesday's game at Old Rochester has major implications for the SCC crown. The Bulldogs have won the conference the past two seasons behind the play of Meg Hughes, a senior who is arguably the best player in the SCC. Hughes already had the school’s scoring record (76 goals and 40 assists) entering her senior year and has already committed to playing at Providence College next season. “We have the potential,” Madsen said of beating ORR. “Our girls, every single one of them, have to come to play.”