SWAMPSCOTT — The Big Blue girls soccer team may appear young on paper, but it will go toe-for-toe with any team and show that youth does not hold it back. Swampscott defeated Winthrop 6-0 on Monday morning with three of the goals coming from freshmen.
Right from the jump Swampscott was threatening the Winthrop goal, with a shot smashing the crossbar two minutes into the game.
With 27 minutes left in the half, Jane Raymond played a perfect pass to freshman Valentine Park, who shot across goal hitting the inside of the post and in to give Swampscott an early lead.
A few minutes later it was a freshman connection as Greta Siefken played the ball over the top of the defense to a sprinting Mia Bailey, who turned on the jets before shooting the ball past the goalkeeper to double Swampscott’s lead.
“I think it’s been a theme for us all season just being on the younger side. It’s awesome to see freshmen step up and score,” Big Blue coach Jaymie Caponigro said. “Half of our starting lineup are freshmen, there’s a saying ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ and that’s the kind of mentality we’ve had. It’s great for them to be able to step up in those moments and put it in the back of the net.”
Swampscott wasted no time getting its third goal as Jesse Ford lined up to take the corner kick. Ford swung in a curling effort, which evaded the Winthrop defense and went directly into the goal to make it 3-0.
When asked if she thought Ford meant to score from the corner, Caponigro wasn’t fully convinced.
“I think if you ask her, she probably would say yes,” Caponigro said. “Jesse has been taking corners for us all season and it’s great to be able to capitalize on set pieces like that. For her to put it in the back of the net from there is awesome.”
The Big Blue took a commanding 3-0 lead into halftime.
The second half was no different for Swampscott as the team continued to dominate the game, specifically the midfield. Winthrop had trouble getting past the midfield trio of Siefken, Raymond, and Victoria Quagrello.
“All season they definitely have been getting better playing together and it’s awesome to see at this point we’re kind of hitting our stride and they can build off of each other,” Caponigro said. “They’ve learned each other’s movement on and off the ball so it’s awesome to kind of see it come together in the last few games and continue as we finish through October.”
Quagrello was described as a “consistent” player by Caponigro and her performances to some may go unnoticed.
“In my opinion, she definitely doesn’t get the recognition she deserves. She’s able to play on both sides of the ball,” Caponigro said. “She scored for us in the beginning of the season and even though she hasn’t been on the scoring sheets recently, she creates those chances on her defensive wins and playing those balls up to our forwards and our offensive mids. She’s the spark that gets us going whether we’re down a goal or going up a goal. She’s the consistency we need.”
A player who most fans have heard of in recent weeks is Siefken who once again found the back of the net for Swampscott, making it nine goals in her last four games. Siefken scored Swampscott’s fourth and fifth goal of the game. The fourth goal came from a cross that was deflected into the back of the net.
The fifth goal came when she intercepted a goal kick and proceeded to lob the keeper from 30 yards out with 24:30 left in the game.
When asked about her recent scoring run, Caponigro praised her for making the most of an opportunity.
“We said in the beginning of the season we were lacking that scoring mentality and we were asking people to get in positions to score and get hungry in front of the net,” Caponigro said. “She’s done that and taken what we’ve said and ran with it. It’s really great to see.”
Winthrop scored an own goal eight minutes into the second half to make it 4-0. After Siefken’s goal gave Swampscott a five-goal lead, it was Hannah Fogg to score Swampscott’s sixth and final goal.
Fogg beat the keeper to the ball and headed it home to seal the victory.
Swampscott’s next game is on the road against Gloucester on Wednesday with it scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.
