FRANKLIN - With the game on the line, Franklin knew it could count on its defense.
And the defensive unit for the top-ranked Panthers came through with a last stand that would have even made General Custer envious.
No. 3 Westwood had possession in the offensive zone for the entire final minute of regulation, but Franklin denied the Wolverines' bid at the equalizer to prevail with an 8-7 nonleague win yesterday at Pisini Field.
"Our defense has been our strong point the whole year," said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe. "Our defense and (goalie) Gianna (Cameron) had our back at the end. What can you do? You just watch them play awesome one-v-one and team D. It was really exciting."
Goals from Kendall Reardon and Kelsey MacCallum put Franklin (16-1) up, 8-4, with under five minutes left in the second half, but Westwood (12-3) received a spark to put Franklin's stout defense on its heels.
Haley Connaughton (four goals) scored twice and Georgia Salvatore (two goals, three assists) followed with another tally to engineer the comeback and bring the Wolverines within one, 8-7, with 1:11 to play.
Connaughton won the ensuing draw and the Wolverines worked it into the offensive zone quickly.
But Franklin (16-1) stood tall, not allowing Westwood a shot on net and forcing a turnover that Cameron scooped up in the final seconds to seal the win.
"We all trusted them," said Igoe of the defense. "I can't call a timeout. I can't go over any play. They just have to play and do what they've done all year."
Besides for securing the turnover, Cameron played a pivotal role in the win. The freshman netminder didn't play like a rookie, making 15 saves against a high-octane Westwood offense that scored 42 combined goals in its past two contests.
"I play club for Mass Elite, so I know a lot of these (Westwood) girls," Cameron said. "Just having a rivalry with them already, so just wanted to stop them."
Caroline Lounsbury gave Franklin an offensive boost, netting a hat trick.
