Norwell rises up behind Katherine Hotarek, Ally Kelley to make Div. 3 title game (original) (raw)

MANSFIELD — There were many changes at Norwell entering 2026.

The school had a new coach and revamped roster. Not to mention, the Clippers were going to be competing in a higher division.

Yet, one thing has remained constant: the program just keeps on winning.

Katherine Hotarek and Ally Kelley each finished with a team-high four goals Monday, while Libby Booras and Charlotte Maguire registered a hat trick apiece as second-ranked Norwell punched its ticket to the Div. 3 state championship game with a resounding 16-8 victory over No. 3 Nashoba at Mansfield High School.

“It’s literally the best feeling in the world,” Kelley said. “Nothing matches the feeling like knowing that you’re going back to the state championship, especially two years in a row. I’m so proud of everyone on the field. We worked so hard together.”

Shortly after the game’s opening draw, Norwell (18-4) took command. In the span of just 40 seconds, Hotarek netted a pair of goals, while Maguire buried a third as the Clippers seized a commanding 3-0 lead with 9:20 to play in the first quarter.

Nashoba (18-4) slowly chipped away at its deficit with Caroline Pinto leading the charge. The senior captain converted a free position attempt in the early stages of the second quarter and 2:44 later, she slipped through traffic and dove as she uncorked another shot. The ball whistled into the cage as she tumbled to the turf, and the Wolves only trailed 4-3 with 8:05 remaining in the quarter.

Yet, as quick as Norwell surrendered momentum, the Clippers gained it right back. Kelley potted two goals in a 45-second stretch, completing a hat trick as Norwell pushed its advantage to 6-3.

Norwell's Meredith Horlbeck and Nashoba Regional's Sarah Quinn go after a loose ball during the second half of a Division 3 girls lacrosse state semifinal game. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Then, after drawing a free-position shot with 23 seconds left in the half, Hotarek fired away, and the sophomore shook her head as a save was made initially. However, the ball had some backspin after landing, and rolled harmlessly across the goal line. It turned out to be her second tally of the afternoon, and Norwell built a comfortable 7-3 lead at intermission.

The Clippers continued to cruise once play resumed. Kelley struck for a pair of goals in the third quarter as Norwell extended things to 9-4 with 4:45 to play in the stanza. Booras netted another goal for the Clippers 59 seconds thereafter for a 10-4 advantage.

But Nashoba stormed right back. This time, Sydney Balewicz was the catalyst as she netted a pair of goals to close the third quarter, then sniped her fourth of the game 2:14 into the final frame. Sophomore Aubrey Christian tacked on another goal with 7:54 remaining, and the Wolves had suddenly struck for four unanswered tallies to climb back within 10-8.

After Norwell utilized a timeout to stop the bleeding, the Clippers left no doubt as they closed the game by scoring six unanswered themselves. Booras netted two goals, while Hotarek and Kelley each added one more tally to their totals during the decisive run.

Norwell's Katie McGuirk jumps up to celebrate the win as Nashoba Regional's Kellyn York walks off during the second half of a Division 3 girls lacrosse state semifinal game. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Despite missing Syracuse commit and team captain Lexi Davos with a season-ending hip injury, the Clippers used a complete team effort to pull away. Natasha Mikus added a pair of goals for Norwell. Meanwhile, sophomore Meredith Horlbeck (assist) eclipsed 100 career points, while her twin sister Elsie surpassed 100 saves on the season in net.

After capturing the Div. 4 title last year, Norwell will look to take things one step further at Div. 3. Should the Clippers win another state title, they will have 10 as a program, good for the most in the commonwealth.

“There’s a lot of pressure to succeed in Norwell,” first-year Norwell coach Jessica Davos said. “It’s just something they do year in, year out. Not sure where it was going to be this year with a whole new crew, but clearly, the athleticism in this town (is unmatched). With all these kids, they’re such hard-workers. They really buy in. They’re trying to do everything. They’re a great, coachable group, and they stay together.”