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The Winchester High School girls soccer team (5-0-1) has played six games to date, and they remain undefeated. The Red & Black shutout Melrose (3-0, Sept. 15) and Lexington (1-0, Sept. 17) after they wrapped up the previous week with a dominating road win over the Woburn Tanners, 5-1 on Sept. 10.
Coach Michelle Ross certainly likes what she sees so far.
“I believe that we are finding our rhythm and hitting our stride after (these) three most recent Middlesex League performances.” Ross said. “We are making crisp passes, remaining disciplined on defense and developing a more dynamic attack.”
The Winchester girls were all over the Woburn Tanners on Sept. 10, and it was apparent from this game that the team’s chemistry was continuing to grow on the pitch.
The first goal was a perfect example of Winchester’s improving team play, beginning with junior goalkeeper Amelia Burke’s throw to freshman Rhynn Fitzpatrick-Canfield. Fitzpatrick-Canfield then fed a pass to junior Sophie Shapiro, who slipped a perfectly weighted ball to freshman winger Ashley Mitchell, who completed the scoring play without interruption from start to finish.
Senior captain Lilly Ossen accounted for the next score after taking a brilliant free kick from 30 yards out, bending the ball around the Woburn defensive wall and past its goalie.
Winchester’s third goal of the game was initiated by a corner kick from freshman Elise Alvares, whose delivery to the back post was headed back into the danger area by classmate Charlotte Bjercke, before senior midfielder Courtney Fischer slotted it home.
Winchester set up the fourth tally with another set play, when Shapiro’s corner found senior captain Juliet Semmes, who proceeded to head it home.
Multiple players combined on the final goal, before Shapiro dished it off to freshman Audrey Houllahan, who was credited with the marker.
Woburn’s lone goal came on a penalty spot after the referee called a foul on second half sophomore goalie Kendall McCarthy during a scramble in the box.
Winchester then began this week in the friendly confines of Knowlton Stadium against Melrose.
The home team once again dominated the play, outshooting the visitors, 21-1, while possessing the ball more than 75 percent of the time.
Despite striking the crossbar three times and the post eight times, the Red & Black still produced three well-earned goals.
The first goal had a family connection, when senior captain Amanda Mitchell played a diagonal ball to her sister Ashley, who delivered a one-touch pass to Shapiro for the clinical finish, just three minutes into the game, according to Ross.
Eight minutes later, the younger Mitchell then fed Shapiro with a first-time volley that landed in the net.
The team’s final goal of the game came in the 30th minute of the first half. It was started by Alvares’ corner, which was met by Fitzpatrick-Canfield, who jumped over the goalkeeper to head the ball into the back of the net.
The team then went back on the road to face a disciplined Lexington club two days later, resulting in a tightly-contested matchup.
The first half was a midfield battle with few clear chances to score goals by either side.
But seven minutes into the second half, Ossen broke the stalemate with a stunning 35-yard free kick that sailed over the Lexington wall and past its keeper.
Ossen said of the goal after the game: “About a week ago, I hit a similar free kick against Woburn, so I had the confidence from that one, and I knew that I could do it (again).”
From there, Winchester controlled possession to create multiple scoring opportunities, but just could not score another goal to get some breathing room. But solid defense and organized midfield pressure ultimately secured the close win.
Afterwards, Ross praised her team’s progress.
“This team is growing in confidence with every game,” she said. “They trust in one another, while connecting very well on the field, and overall have built a strong bond.”
The Red & Black begin this coming week at Knowlton against Reading on Wednesday, Sept. 24, starting at 4:15 p.m. Belmont then comes to Knowlton for a Saturday (Sept. 27) matinee game at 4 p.m.
Boys face road rigors with mixed results
The Winchester boys (2-3-1) played three road games throughout the last 10 days, and came away with one win over Woburn, 2-0 on Sept. 10. They then dropped a pair of 3-1 games to Melrose (Sept. 15) and Lexington (Sept. 17).
Against Woburn, senior forward Shawn Kinyanjui notched the team’s first goal of the game from junior captain Cole Queenan. Queenan then accounted for the insurance tally assisted by midfielder Samuel Crafts. Junior Will Brown was credited with the shutout in net.
Kinyanjui netted the lone goal against Melrose on a solo effort. Junior Ronan O'Hara was responsible for the goal against the Minutemen, and it was set up by Queenan. Brown was in net for both these games, as well.
“We have proven to be quite talented thus far, but also inconsistent with our play,” said coach Vin Musto. “As we approach the midway point of the season, the focus is on improving our consistency, as we believe that will be the defining factor (between wins and losses) this season.”
The good news is that the Winchester boys return home to Knowlton this coming week to take on Reading (Wednesday, Sept. 24) and Belmont (Saturday, Sept. 27). Both games are scheduled to start at 6 p.m., immediately after the aforementioned girls contests.
