Girls Soccer: St. Mary’s thrilled to be back in tournament

The St. Mary’s girl’s soccer team did not appear in the Division 4 North MIAA State tournament in 2013, but the Spartans (10-6-4) bounced back this fall, as they made the tournament, drew an eighth seed, and will play a first-round home game against No.9 seed Marian.”I am happy where we are in the draw,” St. Mary’s coach Jim Foley said. “We play in a tough league, which helps prepare us when it is tournament time. I like how our team has been playing, and I am excited to get this tournament started.”The Spartans will be leaning on: Taylor Capozzi, Kaylin Deschenes, Sophia Holmes and Madison Welch, (all were Catholic Central League All-Stars).”These four girls will be instrumental to our success in the tourney,” Foley said. “When they play well, we are a tough team to beat.”St. Mary’s plays Monday at 7:00 p.m.DIVISION 3 NORTHNo.5 Swampscott vs. No.12 BedfordThe Big Blue (13-5-1) lost a tight first round encounter last year against Triton in double overtime. The Big Blue look to improve upon their results from last year.”It’s really all about scoring for us,” Swampscott coach Ken Leeder said. “If we can find the back of the net, then we will be just fine.”The Big Blue will be leaning on the trio of Megan Hartman, Jayme Caponigro and Megan Marocco.”We don’t know a whole lot about Bedford, but we are playing well, and I like our chances,” Leeder said.Swampscott hosts Bedford on Monday at 2 p.m.No.2 Fenwick vs. No.7 Triton/No.10 ShawsheenFenwick (14-4) was ousted by Lynnfield in the quarterfinals a year ago, but this year the Crusaders wait to see whom their opponent will be Wednesday afternoon.”It is huge to have a bye,” Fenwick coach Karen Guillemette said. “We have a chance to rest up and refocus on the task at hand.”Senior captains Emma Harrington, Jenny Nasser and Jackie Edgett will lead the Crusaders.The Crusaders will host either Triton or Shawsheen Wednesday at 4 p.m.No.3 Lynnfield vs. No.14 WaylandLynnfield (12-4-2) will host Wayland on Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.DIVISION 2 NORTHNo.4 Marblehead vs. No.13 SalemThe Magicians (15-1-3) on paper appear to have the advantage over the Witches, but Marblehead head coach Andrew Bub thinks differently.”Our last two encounters with Salem we lost and tied, so we know we are in for a battle next week,” Bub said. “We have to play a strong game if we want to get by Salem.”Marblehead looks to defeat Salem for the first time in two years at home Monday night at 6:00 p.m.No.8 Beverly vs. No.9 Concord-CarlisleBeverly (11-4-3) will host Concord-Carlisle on Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.