Swinging start to tournament play ...

(Above) Marlboro's Rose Ayres challenges North Middlesex's Jackie Coyle during the quarterfinals of the Central Mass. Division 1 Tournament in Townsend on Friday, Nov. 3. North Middlesex moved onto the semi-finals because of that 3-2 win over Marlboro. The team took a heartbreaking lose against Quabbin Regional High School on Monday, Nov. 6 in the semifinal match that ended in with a score of 3-2. (Right) North Middlesex Senior Elizabeth Flatley looks to hit the ball back in the Marlboro zone while Marlboro's Chris DiRice avoids her swing during the game. The Patriots went 16-1-3 during the regular season. Journal Photos/Jeffrey W. Boudreau