PEABODY — Locked and very loaded. That may be the best way to describe the 2019 Peabody girls soccer team.
With 11 returning starters, 18 returning varsity players and four returning Northeastern Conference all-stars, the sky’s the limit for Peabody, which appears to have all the pieces in place to contend for a state championship, which it last captured in 2011.
The Tanners are still on the young side with only three seniors on the squad, but coach Dennis Desroches believes his younger players are no strangers to experience.
“The sophomores and juniors gained valuable experience last year so we look for them to take the next step this year,” said Desroches, now in his 12th season. “With a strong non-league schedule, including our first game at North Andover and to end the season against state power Acton-Boxborough, and a strong NEC North slate, we’ll have our work cut out for us. Hopefully that experience pays off.”
Last year the Tanners got off to a fantastic 3-0 start, a run that included a 1-0 win over powerhouse Acton-Boxborough. The bad news was the Tanners lost the services of senior defender Catherine Manning, who missed the entire season after going down with a serious foot injury.
From there, the Tanners played sub .500 but did just enough to sneak into the Division 1 North tournament as the No. 6 seed with a record of 9-7-1. After defeating Central Catholic 1-0 in the first round, the Tanners were eliminated by No. 3 Westford Academy, 3-0, in the quarterfinal.
“That shows the impact that Catherine Manning had no doubt about it,” said Desroches. “We went 3-0 with three shutouts and that huge win over Acton-Boxborough, losing her definitely adversely affected the team. No doubt about it.”
This year’s team will be led by a quartet of captains and NEC all-stars in senior goalkeeper Shelby Doucette and senior fullback Colleen Crotty, who also served as captains last year, and junior fullback Aja Alimonte and junior midfielder Bridget O’Connell.
Midfielder Abigail Ryder rounds out the returning senior group.
Returning juniors are fullbacks Jordyn Collins and Emma Darling, midfielders Amber Kiricoples and Hailee Lomasney, and forwards Haley Baker, Chiara Campbell and Olivia LaValle.
Returning sophomores are forwards Emily McDonough and Ava D’Ambrosio, midfielders McKayla Fischer and Sam Simmons, fullbacks Meaghan Billingsley and Madeline Scacchi and fullback/goalkeeper Emma Bloom.
“We also have some promising new players, but with the entire roster returning, it’s very tough to add players and to get minutes,” said Desroches. “But some who may contribute include sophomore Abby Leonard and freshmen Taylor Bettencourt and Branae Craviero.”
Peabody kicks off the fall season Saturday (2) against Merrimack Valley powerhouse and 2018 Division 1 North semifinalist North Andover.
