Fresh off a trip to the MIAA tournament last year, the Saugus High girls soccer team is back with a deep, experienced roster to try to take the next step in 2017. With 10 starters returning from last year’s squad, coach Chris Coviello is excited about his team’s potential.
“I think the most exciting thing about this team is the fact that they are all so familiar with each other,” said Coviello, now in his ninth season at the helm. “We have a great junior class and some top-notch seniors to lead the way for us, so things are certainly pointing in the right direction.”
Despite losing five seniors to graduation, there is a group of key seniors ready to step in and take the leadership role. Seniors Allie Kotkowski and Rachel Nazzaro are back as captains after both holding the title as juniors, and this year they are joined by fellow seniors Ari Carney and Olivia Tapia-Gately. Not only do the four have a lot of talent, but they’ve been playing varsity soccer since their freshman year.
“All four of them are very talented players,” Coviello said. “But more than that, they’re great leaders. Obviously Ally and Rachel were captains last year, but Ari and Olivia were great leaders in their own right and will definitely be a big help again this year.”
The Sachems are looking for another tournament run after earning a bid last year. Saugus went 10-8 during the regular season to earn a No. 10 seed in the Division 3 North tournament. Although they fell to No. 7 Weston in the first round, the team earned valuable playoff experience that can help the Sachems in this coming season.
“Some of them had never played postseason soccer before, so exposing them to that was good,” said Coviello. “I think that will not only help them for this regular season, but also for the tournament if we’re fortunate enough to get there again.”
Things have gotten off to a good start so far, as the Sachems have been on the practice field since last Thursday. Several players made their presence felt early on, including all four captains. Some of the talented junior class, including the likes of Allie LeBlanc and returning goalkeeper Alana Aldred, also showed off its skill in the first few days.
After double sessions on Thursday and Friday to get things going, the team will practice every day this week to prepare for the season opener next Thursday on the road in Somerville.
“We’ve had a good start, everyone looks like they’re ready to go,” said Coviello.
The start of the season will be a bit of a tough go for the Sachems, with their first five games of the season all coming on the road. But while the start will be tough, Coviello is finding some comfort in the challenge.
“It’s obviously hard to start the season with five road games like that,” he said. “But hey, at least we’ll play the entire end of the year at home.”
Saugus will open up its season on the road in Somerville at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 7.
