Rocket shots, timely tackles, clever set pieces … the region’s litany of returning girls soccer all-stars can do it all.
Whether your favorite team enters the new season with state championship hopes or just looking to improve on last season, it’s a great time of the year. Here’s a team-by-team look at the locals:
BEVERLY
Last year’s record: 13-5-2 (Lost in Division 1 Round of 32)
Head coach: Kristin Simpson (4th season returning, 179-122-33 career record)
Captains: Sasha Miller, Sr., D; Clara Kostro, Sr., GK; Rylie Berman, Sr., D; Abby Sidmore, Sr., Mid.
Other players to watch: Jaydin Simpson, So., F; Olivia Anketell, Jr. F; Genevieve Bilotti, Sr., Mid; Mackenzie Pouliot, Jr., Mid.
Promising newcomer: Katarina Kwapniewski, Jr., Mid.
Outlook: The Panthers bring back nine starters, which is really ten since captain Abby Sidmore missed last season with a torn ACL but did start as a sophomore. It’s an experienced group at all three levels, led by All-NEC goalkeeper Clara Kostro playing in front of an outstanding backline. Up top, sophomore Jaydin Simpson and junior Olivia Anketell combined for 39 goals and 50 points a year ago, giving Beverly one of the North Shore’s most potent finishing duos.
Losing in overtime in the state tourney has Beverly attacking the preseason with a hungry attitude, coach Kristin Simpson said. With some improvement in the speed of play and transition game, the Panthers are on the short list of squads capable of unseating Masconomet in the NEC and making a deep Division 1 playoff run.
BISHOP FENWICK
Last year’s record: 11-6-2 (Lost in Division 3 Round of 32)
Head coach: Candice Dangora (2nd season, 11-6-2)
Captains: Maeve O’Donnell, Sr., Mid; Riley Maynard — Sr., D; Reese Spurchise — Sr., Mid; Valentina Gregory, Sr., D; Sophia Poto, Jr., Mid.
Other Players to Watch: Abby Jenkins, Sr., Mid; Schylar Kroon, So., F; Bridget Bloom, So., Mid; Jocelyn Sanchez, Sr., Mid.
We have a strong group of returning players who gained valuable varsity experience last season and will be expected to take on larger roles for us this fall. Skychar Kroon Sophomore Forward; Bridget Bloom, Sophomore Midfielder; Jocelyn Sanchez SR Midfielder
Promising Newcomers: Mia Sanchez, Fr., F; Khloe Smyrnios, Fr., F.
Outlook: In their second season playing in coach Candice Dangora’s system, the Crusaders are comfortable and ready to expand on what they learned the first time around. There’s an excellent blend of leadership with young talent and Fenwick’s experience in the midfield and defensive slots should help them be as stingy in their own end as they were in 2025.
Establishing consistency, improving speed and being dangerous and creative in the attacking third are Fenwick’s main goals for the first part of the regular season. Continuing to improve and being in position to play their best soccer at the end of the year, in the postseason, are major goals, Dangora said.
DANVERS
Last year’s record: 11-6-2 (Lost in Division 2 Round of 32)
Head coach: Jimmy Hinchion (28th season, 422-94-44)
Captains: Emma Sutherland, Sr., F; Cassidy Randall, Jr., D; Ali Doucette, Jr., D; Maddie Hanas, Jr., F.
Other players to watch: Taylor Landry, Sr, GK; Kaia Glover, Jr., Mid; Rylee Sullivan, So., F; Sophia Blodgett, Jr., Mid; Scarlett Chung, Jr., Mid; Dani Scarpaci, Jr., Mid; Kaitlyn Rosa, Jr., F; Flavia Locilento, Jr., F; Maggie Lamar, So., Mid; Stella Shairs, So., GK.
Promising newcomers: Ari Fajardo, Sr., D; Mia St. Pierre, Jr., Mid; Ella Cangiano, So., D; Reagan Cassidy, So., D.
Outlook: The Falcons enter the new season with a unique blend of experience (there are 14 returners from last season) and relative youth (there are just three seniors on the roster). Sophomore Rylee Sullivan emerged as Danvers’ leading goal scorer, potting 17 a year ago, and there’s definitely strength in the back led by juniors Ali Doucette and Cassidy Randall.
Head coach Jimmy Hinchion said he’s been impressed with the way the veterans have improved in the offseason and arrived ready to take on larger roles. Danvers has a three decades plus streak of qualifying for the state tournament that this squad does not want to end … and competing in every facet in a loaded NEC Dunn division is also the goal.
MASCONOMET
Last year’s record: 17-4-1 (NEC Dunn champions, lost in Division 2 Final Four)
Head coach: Alison Lecesse (10th season, 143-17-14)
Captains: Lily Blosser, Sr., Mid; Maggie Blosser, Sr., D/Mid/F; Sadie Morris, Sr., D; Ada Paglierani, Sr., D.
Other players to watch: Ella Cammarata, So., F; Victoria Cerbone, Sr., F/D; Emerson Davis, Sr., Mid; Brooke Hagerty, Sr., F/D; Brooke Hogan, Jr., D; Olivia Hogan, Jr., Mid/D; Emerson Kilmer, So., D; Evie Mills, Sr., GK; Sophie Nelson, Sr., Mid; Maddie Orciuch, So., D; Kaia Reardon, Sr., F; Alessia Ross, So., D; Mia Schiavuzzo, So., Mid; Giselle Wayland, Sr., D/F; Ava Wexler, Sr., D/F/Mid.
Promising newcomers: Lidia Alberta, So., Mid/F; McKinley Blosser, Fr., Mid/F; Zoe Chen, Sr., F; Elena Russo, So., Mid/F.
Outlook: The Chieftains have a large senior class of 13 who’ve reached three consecutive Division 2 Final Fours, so expectations are understandably high. There are 19 total returning players with varsity experience, a crew that’s both talented and versatile. The Maryland committed Blosser twins (Maggie and Lily) have tremendous technical ability on both offense and defense, and they’re surrounded by a confident group capable of controlling possession. With no shortage of players who can shift between the midfield and attack, Masco can create a lot of matchup issues for opposing sides.
Pushing the pace of play while maintaining accuracy of passes and shots is Masconomet’s top goal with developing mental strength and consistency also on the list, coach Alison Lecesse said. If everyone remains healthy, expect the Chieftains to play well into November.
PEABODY
Last year’s record: 3-14-1 (Did not make playoffs)
Head coach: Katrina Silva (1st season)
Captains: Emma Wardle, Sr., Mid; Victoria Vaz, Sr., D; Cara Corriveau, Sr., Mid; Marley Loring, Sr., D; Sophia Galbiati, Jr., F (assistant captain).
Other players to watch: Brielle Broughton, So., Mid; Olivia Ball, Jr., GK; Ava Baressi, Sr., D; Gabby Meola, Sr., F.
Promising newcomers: Isabella Silva, Fr., F; Gabriella Galbiati, Fr., D; Grace Sylvester, So., D.
Outlook: It’s a new era for the Tanners as program alum Katrina Silva takes over as head coach (just the program’s third boss in the last 20 years). Peabody is looking for a bounce back season after winning only three games and being shut out 11 times last fall. Silva and her staff are excited about the leadership they’ve gotten from eight returning seniors since that’s always essential to any team’s success.
Working hard on their attacking shape while maintaining creativity and freedom has been a focus of the preseason. Defensively, the Tanners have one of the NEC’s better goalkeepers in junior Liv Ball as well. Peabody aims to “put an exciting product on the pitch and also lay down a great foundation for years to come,” Silva noted.
SALEM
Last year’s record: 9-8-2 (Lost in Division 3 preliminary round)
Head coach: Jenette Leonard (2nd season, 9-8-2)
Captains: Makenzie Eichel, Sr., F; Julia Gauther, Sr., D.
Other players to watch: Madyson Eichel, Jr., D; Isla Happner, Jr., D; Daver Cornell, Jr., D; Amelia Meegan, So., GK; Caroline Antczak, So., Mid; Hadley Austin, Jr., Mid; Jackie Fritz, Jr., F; Ally Bedard, Sr., Mid; Ella Joy, Sr., Mid/F; Alexa Martin, Sr., D.
Promising newcomers: Jaliyah Valerio, Fr., Mid/F.
Outlook: Salem was the surprise story on the North Shore in 2025, enjoying its first winning season and tourney berth in six years. A strong returning nucleus means the Witches hope to build on that momentum, though they know they’ll need to improve and won’t sneak up on any opponents this fall.
A stingy defense last year (26 goals allowed) anchored by returners Madyson Eichel, Dever Cornell, Julia Gauthier and keeper Amelia Meegan is a good place to start building from. Refining some off-ball movement and getting shots on frame is one of the goals for this year. As long as Salem builds on its team chemistry and remains focused, another state tourney trip is an attainable goal, says coach Jenette Leonard.