Going into this year’s season, Girls’ Soccer had reason to feel a little nervous: they needed to find eight new starters. Last year’s team had twelve seniors graduate which left them with gaping holes especially in defense. Fortunately, the Rebels had the talent to step up and fill those big shoes. Ending the season with a record of 6-5-6, Rebsoc was slightly disappointed with the regular season result but accomplished something that had not been done in 11 years: a state tournament victory.
The Rebels started off the season with some tough competition, including Natick, Newton North, and Wellesley. Senior Captain Ella McMackin said, “We improved so much this season so that by the end we looked as if we have played together for 4 years.” As the season went on, the Rebels proved they could compete with the top teams such as Franklin, the best team in the state, who had a record of 17-0 before the Rebels tied them 2-2. Furthermore, Rebsoc tied the back-to-back Herget champs Dedham 0-0 and the number 2 team in the state Needham 1-1. Though none of these games were wins, they allowed the girls one point per tie to take away from the total of 17 points they needed for tournament.
Girls Soccer eventually made it to tournament on their senior night against Braintree, winning 2-0. Last year, the team qualified much earlier for the tournament, and it was the first time in six years the team has managed to do this. Though their record was much better last year, the team faced off against Wellesley (ranked 12) on November 2. The girls were expecting Wellesley to come out strong knowing that they were disgusted with their 2-0 loss to the Rebels a few weeks earlier. Thus, the Rebels matched their intensity from the start. Senior Captain Seana Cofsky scored the only goal off a direct kick outside the goal box in the first 20 minutes of the game. From then on, the Rebels focused on maintaining their lead by shutting their offensive players. But because they focused on defense, the Girls lacked offensive opportunities, but in the end, it was insignificant as the Rebels won 1-0. It was the first time the Rebels had made it past the preliminary round in 11 years.
The girls faced off against Bishop Feehan, who was ranked fifth, at Bishop Feehan on November 4. The girls were not so lucky this time. Due to defensive mistakes made early in the game, Feehan went up in the first 20 minutes, scoring two early goals. Going into the second half the girls knew they need to play their game and keep their head up to fend off Feehan. For the most part, this worked and junior Karalyn Kickham scored 20 minutes into the second half. This was quickly countered however by another Shamrock goal to make the final score 3-1. Despite the disappointing loss Cofsky said, “I’m so happy the way the season turned out. Even though we didn’t make it past the first round, or have the greatest record in the league, we did something that hasn’t been done in 11 years and [this team] should take great pride in that.” The Rebels should also take pride in the fact that 2 of their teammates were nominated as All-Stars and one recieved an Honorable Mention. Senior Captain Ella Mcmackin and her younger sister sophomore Abby McMackin were both selected as All-Stars. Ella McMakin was also named one of the best players in eastern Massachusetts. Also, freshman goalie Kaitlin Brown was one of the only freshman nominated for an Honorable Mention as she was the third best goalie in the Bay State League.
As the Rebels graduate 3 starters this year, they will not be in as difficult of a situation as last year. In contrast to last year’s defensive problems, next year the Rebels will need to reload their offensive power and step it up to improve their playoff run and record.
