MIAA Girls: No. 4 Natick outlasts No. 6 Franklin in D1 title thriller

Nicole Proia and Abby McCauley celebrate in Natick's title win over Franklin. (Brian Kelly/NESJ)

LEOMINSTER, Mass. – Nicole Proia had an open lane. 

With Natick hanging on to a one-goal lead in the back end of the second half, the senior Seton Hall commit cut around a defender and had plenty of space down the left wing. She drove into the box and put a low shot on goal that squeaked by Franklin's Cami Towers, giving the No. 4 Redhawks a 4-2 lead with 15 minutes remaining. 

From there, Natick stood strong, holding the No. 6 Panthers at bay as they took their third title in five years, adding to their trophies from 2021 and 2023. It's the first title for co-coaches Kari-Ann Daley and Denise Trubiano since taking over the team a season ago.

"We just hand it back to the girls," Trubiano said. "They came together as a group. The chemistry is spot on. They all play for each other, and most importantly, they have fun while they play."

Proia and Abby McCauley each finished with two goals for the Redhawks. Katie McMahon, who was clutch in the 2023 final, earned the win in net.