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The Winchester High girls soccer team rolled over its Middlesex League counterparts last year to compile a 6-0-1 record to secure the regular season championship.
The Red & Black were 14-2-2 overall, which earned them the seventh seed in the Division 1 state tournament. Once there, they defeated Beverly in the Round of 32, 3-2, only to drop a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to Concord-Carlisle in the Sweet 16.
With success comes the team’s continued popularity in town. That sentiment was manifested by another large turnout at the first day of tryouts on Aug. 24.
“We had a nice turnout, and as a result we will once again field three teams,” said Coach Michelle Ross. “We have a lot of new players, as well as veteran players returning to the pitch on all levels.”
With all of last year’s success, the goals get even higher.
“Our expectations are very high, but we also understand that every season is different, and that last year’s success does not guarantee anything this year,” said Ross. “We are coming off a terrific season, but our focus is on building this team rather than trying to replicate the past. We lost eight players – six to graduation and two to private schools – so we still have work to do. But we have a talented group with a lot of potential.”
Making up this team are experienced players, who understand what it takes to compete at a high level, according to Ross, and they are coupled with new players who bring the energy and a real desire to prove themselves.
“One of the things that I’m most excited about is the depth and versatility of this team,” said Ross. “We have players that can contribute (all over the pitch), which gives us a lot of flexibility.”
Forward GG Fantini, midfielders Sophie Shapiro and Emma Kiernan, and defender Sara Stewart are this year’s captains. They are all seniors, but Ross also acknowledges the remaining two seniors on the team.
“Goalie Amelia Burke and forward Amelia Holmes are team leaders (in their own right), as well,” she said.
Ross admits the Middlesex League will be a challenge to navigate, once again.
“As always, the Middlesex League is a highly competitive league, so I expect every game to be challenging,” she said. “The Liberty Division that has larger programs like Arlington, Lexington and Belmont will be very tough opponents. They are led by experienced coaches that I respect. They know what it takes to compete at a high level.”
Winchester scrimmaged Central Catholic on Sept. 2, and defeated them, 1-0 on a penalty kick taken by Shapiro.
“We saw some good things in this scrimmage, especially our teamwork and on field communication,” said Ross. “But we still have a number of areas to work on, both offensively and defensively.”
The Winchester girls can iron out those flaws with a couple of more scheduled scrimmages. They first took on Newton South on Sept. 3, and lost to them, 2-1. They will wrap up the exhibition slate on Saturday, Sept. 5, in the Andover jamboree, where they will be taking on the host team and Weymouth in the final tuneups, before the home opener at Knowlton against Stoneham on Sept. 9, starting at 4:15 p.m.
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
