SENIOR CAPTAINS, from left, Emma Rose, Clara Caulfield, Ariana Guarracino and Bella Carroll will be leading the girls’ soccer team this fall. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ soccer team is back on the field and is looking to go on another deep state tournament run this fall.
Lynnfield concluded last season with a 17-3-2 record. The Pioneers qualified for the Division 4 state tournament and advanced to the Final Four. The fourth seeded Pioneers’ state tournament run came to a close after falling 4-3 in penalty kicks to D4 state champion South Hadley during the state semifinals.
The Pioneers have 15 players returning this season, which gives head coach Mark Vermont high hopes this fall.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting year,” said Vermont. “We have a lot of returning players and promising new players. It will be a challenge because we are going to have a target on our back.”
Four senior captains will be leading the Pioneers this fall, including forward Bella Carroll. She was named as the Cape Ann League Kinney Division Player of the Year and was named a CAL First-Team All-Star last fall. Carroll was selected as an Eastern Massachusetts All-Star and an All-State player as well.
“Bella is a very good player,” said Vermont. “She led the team in scoring last year. Bella is a dynamic forward who is tenacious and knows how to score in a variety of ways.”
Senior captain Emma Rose will be playing midfield once again. The CAL Second-Team All-Star was an assist machine last season, and will be playing women’s soccer at Trinity College next year. Rose was the first Lynnfield High School senior to commit to playing collegiate athletics.
“Emma led the team in assists last year,” said Vermont. “She has great vision and good composure on the ball. Emma’s corner kicks are extremely dangerous.”
Senior captain Clara Caulfield will be playing midfield once again.
“Clara is a very versatile player who has an engine that doesn’t quit,” said Vermont. “She has great technical ability.”
Senior captain Ariana Guarracino will help anchor the Pioneers’ backfield as a defensive specialist once again.
“Ariana has great speed, is aggressive and is a tireless worker,” said Vermont.
Vermont also has high expectations for returning senior defender/midfielder Ella Hayman, senior defender/midfielder Morgan Hubbard, senior defender Lily Rocco and senior defender/midfielder Katie Connelly.
“I am excited to have this group of seniors back and expect them to help lead this team both on and off the field,” said Vermont. “Our seniors provide us with good leadership and good experience. They have worked hard during the preseason and look ready to go.”
Vermont said junior midfielder Bella Sykes, junior midfielder Hannah Ozanian and junior forward Ava Cook are back on the field this fall along with new junior midfielder Alex Schmidt.
“The juniors are an experienced group of players who I am going to rely on for leadership,” said Vermont.
Vermont recalled that sophomore forward/midfielder Kaylee Barrett, sophomore defender Avery Haney, sophomore midfielder Giada Antidormi and sophomore forward Ava Damiani played key roles during the Pioneers’ run to the Division 4 state semifinals last year. The Pioneers are also welcoming sophomore goalie Victoria Minor, sophomore midfielder Sofia Giardina, sophomore defender/midfielder Jordan Calichman, sophomore defender Adriana Regitano and sophomore midfielder Hannah Doherty to the fold.
“Giada, Kaylee, Avery and Ava Damiani are all returning from an excellent year last year,” said Vermont. “I am excited to see how they continue to develop and establish themselves in the league and on the team. The additions that we have made are all very hardworking and talented players who will be contributing a tremendous amount this year.”
Vermont said the Pioneers’ mix of returning players and promising new additions will be Lynnfield’s biggest strength this season.
“We have a lot of depth, a lot of versatility and a lot of experience,” said Vermont. “We have 15 players returning this year who have a lot of experience.”
With a strong nucleus back in action, Vermont said the Pioneers have to continue working hard in order to keep improving as a team.
“We have a lot of ingredients, but we have to put them together and have to finish games,” said Vermont. “We have to continue to work hard because nothing is guaranteed.”
The Pioneers kicked off the 2024 season against Triton on Tuesday, Sept. 3, taking place after deadline. Lynnfield travels to Newburyport on Thursday, Sept. 5, beginning at 4 p.m.
