By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

First-half goals by Kira Henderson and Cassidy Moriarty, and the effective goal-tending of Katie McMahon, were all Natick needed to shut out Bishop Feehan, 2-0, for its second Division 1 state soccer championship in three years.  

The top-seeded Redhawks captured the program’s first title in girls’ soccer in 2021 when they defeated Hingham, 3-2. Their triumph over Feehan, however, was rewarding because it was the Shamrocks who eliminated Natick last year, 2-1, in the Elite Eight.

Natick finished its season with a 21-1-1 record, while second-seeded Feehan ended its campaign at 20-1-1. The Redhawks advanced to the final by downing Bay State Conference rival Brookline, 5-2, and the Shamrocks earned their way into the finale by blanking previously unbeaten Hopkinton, 1-0.

The Redhawks scored at the 21-minute mark when Megan Mela crossed a pass inside the box, enabling Henderson to find the net for a 1-0 advantage. Natick added another goal nine minutes later when Moriarty scored on a header for a 2-0 advantage.

 Feehan managed to apply pressure in the second half, but McMahon stopped all three shots she faced.

Natick coach Dave Wainwright was elated about his team’s second state crown. 

“It’s been great,’’ he said. “Once the girls got a taste of it, success bred success. They were eager to get back and get another one.’’