By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
North’s varsity girls soccer team has had a challenging start to its fall season with four losses in the first six games, but coach Bill Wallace said the toughest part is behind them.
Wallace said the team began its season three weeks later than normal. Usually, pre-season kicks off Aug. 24, but due to the pandemic it was delayed to Sept. 13. That made practice difficult, since students had to balance schoolwork with the start of the season.
“Pre-season was a complete change. Usually they have a week off of school,” said Wallace. “That’s out the window and the kids are practicing after school.”
The team has played eight games, losing and winning four, with the game against Canton a tie. Wallace said even the losses were close, with the team only one goal behind each time.
“We’ve had a little bit of bad luck, some unlucky bounces,” he said. “The girls are playing hard.”
Wallace said the goal is to “go 500,” by which he means the wins and losses equal out. Last season the team finished 5-5-3 making it to the Hockomock League tournament and winning and losing one game.
The coach said the current team has a strong defense, and credited Haley Sinacola, Summer Doherty, and Charlotte Moynihan as the defensive starters. Maddie Ferrin is the goalkeeper whom Wallace said has varsity experience, and Emma Pratt and Steph McKenna are the team’s leading scorers. Wallace added that the team has had a busy start, playing six matches in 11 days.
“The tough part is behind us now,” said Wallace. “We just need to play and practice up to our capability and see what happens.”
