Just like covering all 192 square feet of the net is tough for even the best goalkeepers, covering all 200-plus games that will be played by the dozen girls soccer teams in The Salem News’ coverage area is a tall task.
Still, the sheer amount of talent around these parts makes the girls soccer scene one of the most fun — and unpredictable — of the entire school year. Here are five storylines we have our eyes on heading into the brand new season:
1. Can anyone stop Masconomet?
The defending Division 2 state champions are undefeated in their last 60 regular season games. Could that streak approach 80? Or will someone end it over the next few months?
On one hand, the Chieftains are replacing several four-year starters and an incredible backline. Plus, these streaks can’t last forever. Bishop Fenwick softball’s 40 consecutive playoff wins from 1990-96, Danvers baseball’s streak in the late 1990s, Beverly girls cross country’s in the early 2010s, Peabody girls soccer and softball … they all had to end sometime.
On the other hand, Masconomet has the region’s most dangerous scorer in junior Maggie Blosser (42 points last year) and two breakout candidates, scoring-wise, in Violet Malinowski and Cate Shaffer. The Northeastern Conference has some really tough teams, most notably Marblehead and Danvers, and the Chieftains’ non-league slate includes state power Bishop Feehan.
Masco may not be as deep as it was in 2024 (one of the deepest teams in North Shore history, to be fair), but that doesn’t mean they’re on the verge of faltering. I can’t predict an unbeaten season, but there’s little doubt they’ll be one of the top handful of teams in Division 2.
2. Who takes the golden boot?
The last five years or so, Danvers has dominated the individual scoring race with All-Americans Ari Bezanson (now at Colgate) and Georgia Prouty (Boston University) in the mix. This fall, it looks wide open.
The aforementioned Maggie Blosser of Masconomet (Maryland commit) is the obvious heir apparent. But there are a lot of other talented strikers, wings and mids that might grab this mantel. Start at Pingree with senior Kayla Smyrnios (UNH) on the verge of 100 points for her career. Her running mate, Shauna O’Brien, is another crafty, creative attacker who could push 30-plus points.
Some others that might push for top billing in the scoring department? Lila Doucette of Danvers, Callie Gilmore of Marblehead, Reese Spurchise of Bishop Fenwick, Savannah Gauron of Hamilton-Wenham, Great Siefken of Swampscott and Asuka Keough of Ipswich all come to mind.
3. How does ACL injury recovery proceed?
Torn knee cartilage has been an epidemic in girls soccer for seemingly decades, but the North Shore was particularly hard hit last season. Danvers is getting star defender Lily Delafano back from an ACL tear while Pingree gets Sidney Reno back as a senior, too. Marblehead will have both Sadie Halpern and Ainsley McDonald returning from similar injuries, and Beverly’s Ella Heckman is also fully recovered and back. These are all big-time leaders who will should make major impacts for their schools, and we’re thrilled to see them back playing the game they love.
4. The state tournament shuffle
Three teams missed the state tournament a year ago: Beverly, Essex Tech and Salem. All three have reason to believe they can get back into the bracket this November; my bet is that at least two of the three pull it off. Beverly has a bunch of experience and some promising youngsters, the same can be said of Essex Tech, and Salem is now a Division 3 school.
The only other change in this year’s new alignment sees Danvers bump back up to Division 2 after being in D3 the past few seasons.
5. Home field advantage
Hamilton-Wenham is also undefeated in the last two regular seasons and looked to stretch that to 40 games in Tuesday’s season opener. Amazingly, the Generals did that last season without a home field. Now that the town’s new turf stadium is complete (check out Colby College soccer standout Jane Maguire’s drone video on the H-W web site to see how beautiful the new digs are), the Generals could be even tougher to stop.
Salem News assistant sports editor Matt Williams begins his 19th season covering the North Shore girls soccer scene. Send story ideas to MWilliams@salemnews.com and follow along on Twitter/X @MattWilliams_SN