SAUGUS — The scene couldn’t have been more perfect for the Saugus girls soccer team’s Senior Day on Sunday afternoon, and the Sachems took advantage of it.
Under sunny skies with summer-like temperatures, Saugus earned a 6-1 victory over Northeastern Conference foe Gloucester on the grass at Anna Parker Field. It was the first time all season that the Sachems were able to play on their home field.
“We’re just a better team on grass, and especially on our home field,” said Saugus coach Chris Coviello. “(Sunday) was a perfect atmosphere for us out there with the warm weather and being able to play at home finally. We couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Prior to Sunday’s game, the Sachems also celebrated their group of four seniors — captain Megan Bluett, captain Jess Carter, captain Haley McLaughlin and Keila Friend — for their contributions to the program.
“This group has been around here for a long time, two of them since they were eighth-graders and the other two since freshman year,” said Coviello. “Obviously this has been a tough year for everyone, and those seniors in particular, but we couldn’t have asked for a better day to celebrate them and what they’ve meant to the program.”
As for the actual game action, it was a group of non-seniors that helped lift Saugus to victory. Freshman Veronica Ortega led the way for the Sachems with two goals — the first two goals of her varsity career. Freshman Juliana Powers and sophomore Allison Justice also scored their first career varsity goals in the win, while juniors Jordan Morris and Jenna Tennant also found the back of the net.
Saugus jumped out to a 3-0 lead at halftime before coasting to victory in the second half.
“We possessed the ball well (Sunday) and we were really able to push the pace of play,” said Coviello. “
The win now puts the Sachems at 2-4 on the season after a tough week of games that included battles with NEC powerhouses Masconomet, Danvers and Peabody.
“This week has been a killer,” said Coviello. “Going up against teams like that, back-to-back-to-back, that’s tough. But playing in games like that will only make you better.”
Next up for Saugus will be another tough test, as the Sachems will host Swampscott Monday afternoon (4). But despite it being listed as a home game for Saugus, the game will actually be played at Swampscott’s Phillips Park.
“Swampscott is another one of those teams, they’re fast and talented and tough to deal with,” said Coviello. “We’re going to try to bring some of the momentum we gained (Sunday) and bring it into the Swampscott game, and we’ll see what happens.”
