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There was plenty to celebrate this fall for Coach Michelle Ross’ Winchester High girls soccer team.
The varsity roster was made up of many young players that included eight freshmen, but they still managed to compile an 14-2-2 regular season record to secure another Middlesex League championship for the fourth straight year.
It all added up to being the seventh seed in Division 1, and going 1-1 in the postseason, where they defeated Beverly in Double OT, 3-2 in the Round of 32, before dropping a 1-0 decision to Concord-Carlisle in the Sweet 16.
With so much success, the awards season was extra special. It included the annual team banquet at the Winchester Country Club two days before Thanksgiving on Nov. 25. Previously, the EMass all-star team was announced at Woburn High School.
Now, let’s get onto the awards. For the second straight year, the Red & Black won the United Soccer Coaches Team Pinnacle Award after winning its Team Ethics Award in 2024. They were chosen for the same award this year after earning the coveted prize with just one yellow card in 20 games. It will be officially announced next year.
The Winchester girls also received the United Soccer Coaches Team Academics Award for the 2024-25 school year.
Lilly Ossen earned the United Soccer Coaches Team MVP award after setting the new standard for effort, attitude and sportsmanship both on and off the pitch. This award is given to a player for extraordinary performances, dedication to training and ability to elevate teammates. In other words, it’s all about the true spirit of team.
Ossen also received the United Soccer Coaches Senior Excellence Award.
Onto the specific team awards and achievements, Sophie Shapiro won the Middlesex League MVP award. Emma Kiernan, Juliet Semmes, Gaby Hermsdorf, Amanda Mitchell, Ossen and Shapiro were singled out as league all-stars at last week’s banquet.
Shapiro, also an All-State selection, and Ossen were then officially announced as members of the All-League team.
Shapiro, Kiernan, Ossen, Semmes and Hermsdorf were chosen EMass all-stars, as well. The EMass Girls Soccer Coaches Association made it complete, when it selected Ross as its Division 1 Coach of the Year. Ross was then able to coach those players once more in the EMass all-star game on Nov. 23, two days before the team banquet.
The Winchester High School Ted Preston Unicorn Award went to Grace Wilhoite. This award honors a player who best embodies Preston's love of the game, passion for life, respect for competition and unparalleled kindness, not to mention being an ideal teammate with a positive attitude, who’s also selfless.
Beyond the individual awards, Ross credits the entire team for this memorable successful season.
“They were incredibly resilient, which made them mentally, physically and emotionally determined to come out on top,” she said. “No matter what the season threw at them, they kept showing up and working hard to become better players, while constantly demonstrating sportsmanship, ethics, academic excellence and accountability throughout the season to ensure the continuation of the program’s values.”
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News last November.
