Both the Westport boys' and girls' soccer teams won in the round of 32 and move on to play in the round of 16 this weekend.

Striker Will Quinlan scored two goals as the Wildcats shutout Hull 3-0 in a Division 5, round of 32, home game on Wednesday afternoon. The 13-3-3 Wildcats also won the Mayflower Comprehensive Division championship this season with a league record of 7-1. Westport the 7th seed, moves on to play 10th seeded Brighton at home in the round of 16 on Saturday at noon.

Quinlan using his head to score goals

Quinlan a senior captain, used his head to score both goals. The striker timed a beautifully placed, direct kick by midfielder Zach Lopes, that popped over the lined of defenders and dropped into the middle of the box. Quinlan quickly beat his man, got his head on the ball and directed it by Hull goalkeeper Ed Hipp into the goal for a Westport 2-0 lead midway through the first half.

“We were certainly dangerous early on," said Westport head coach Chris Parker. "We capitalized on two wonderfully delivered balls and big Will was there to get his head on them.”

“I’m back at my natural position,” Quinlan said. “I’m more comfortable and I’m really liking it. Wherever coach plays me, I just try to do my best for the team. ”

He scored his second header minutes later, timing a Nyzaiah Pacheco corner kick to the back post of the goal, for a Wildcats 3-0 lead.

“The back post is my usual spot,” he said. “Nazy kicked it way back there and I was just lucky.”

“A 3-0 cushion is a tough hole to climb out of. But I’m greedy. I wanted more,” Coach Parker said.

Quinlan, who has been filling in at central midfielder most of the season, is back at striker, due to a present from the soccer gods. Central midfielder Travis Carvalho, a senior, is finally back, after fracturing his wrist in the Wildcats’ first game of the season.

“He started practicing two days ago,” Coach Parker said. “He’s a senior. I’m obviously going to start him. I just didn’t know how long he could go before he was gassed. But the kid played tremedously well.”

Carvalho even booted in a penalty kick early in the game, to give Westport a 1-0 lead after the Wildcats were awarded the kick, due to a Hull hand ball in the box.

“It was cool that he got that PK,” said Coach Parker. “It was an incredible moment. I want him on the line. He’s one of our best at PKs.”

Amaral records eighth shut out

Senior goalkeeper Noah Amaral made 5 saves to earn his eighth shutout of the season. He had defensive help from his back line Garrett Skov, Ben Cross, Jake Cross, Zachary Lopes and Henry Gillet.

New team after heart to heart

The Wildcats have scored 28 goals and have been on fire since losing to Atlantis Charter on Oct. 8. They’ve won 7 of 8 games and have just 2 goals against, that came in a 2-2 tie against Diman on Oct. 28.

“The day after we lost to Atlantis Charter, Coach Parker, met with the seniors and we had a heart-to-heart,” said Amaral. “He basically told us, at the end of the day, it's on us. We need to be the leaders out there. After that session we began to come together as a team. The results have really showed.”

Girls’ soccer team beat Nashoba Valley 3-2, face 1st seeded Douglas in round of 16

The 17th seeded girls soccer team came back twice to beat 16th seeded Nashoba Valley Tech 3-2 in penalty kicks during an away game in the Division 5 round of 32 on Monday. The Wildcats tied the game twice during regulation. The two teams played two scoreless ten-minute overtime periods before deciding the game with penalty kicks.

Ella Camara, Lily Veracka and Adalyn Reynolds scored goals for Westport and still the game was tied after each team took five kicks. Sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Pacheco made the save on Nashoba Valley’s sixth kick. The sophomore made 3 saves during the PKs and 8 saves during regulation.

Seventh grade forward Sophia Baab took the sixth penalty kick and scored the game winning goal for the Wildcats.

“It was a stunning finish,” said Westport head coach Gary Muello. “Pure joy. A great memory for the girls. Morgan had a standout performance in goal. She made huge saves.”

Tied 2-2 after regulation

Adalyn Reynolds kicked in a pass from Lily Veracka to score Westports’ first goal and knot the score at 1-1. Later in the game, Veracka evened the score again at 2-2.

“It was a jaw dropping shot,” Coach Muello said of Veracka’s goal. It was a crucial goal. A tremendous shot into the netting.”

Coach Muello commended the Wildcats defensive play. Especially senior captains Julia George and Tess Silvia.

“They did a terrific job slowing down Nashoba’s attack.”