Groton, Mass. — It didn’t take long for Kim Bohlin Healy — head coach of Lawrence Academy varsity girls’ soccer — to come up with the two factors that powered her club into Wednesday’s NEPSAC playoff game versus No. 4 seed St. Mark’s.
“[Those] factors led to our success and earning a spot in the post-season tournament,” emphasized Ms. Healy, whose Spartans take on the Lions at 2:00 PM, Nov. 13th.
“The first is the leadership we have seen throughout the entire season from our two captains, Anna Pedreschi ’20 and Faith Gargano ’21,” continued the coach. “I could not ask for two more competitive, yet ‘team-first’ players than Anna and Faith.
“They have set a tone and a set of expectations that players and coaches want to live up to.
“This sense of leadership has trickled down through the entire team and we can see it manifesting in every player, regardless of their year or role,” she said.
That leadership is an important trait for a team, given the well-dispersed numbers of 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders on the roster. It’s doubly important given the number of injuries on the club, as well.
“The second, but equally important factor is the way our entire team has responded to challenges we faced throughout the season,” said Kim. “The fact that every player, freshmen through seniors, has been a leader in some way throughout this season is incredibly special.
“We have seen some exceptional teams this fall and faced tough losses. In addition, we have lost some really important players to injuries before and during the season,” added Ms. Healy. “These players have stood by us and we all feel their support in every practice and game. In turn other players have stepped up and filled roles in ways we never could have expected.
“As coaches, we are so proud and grateful for this group of players.”
Head Coach Bohlin Healy and Assistant Coach Jaime Schulze aren’t the only adults proud of girls’ soccer’s accomplishments this fall.
“This team has played against some of the best soccer programs in New England and our team plays in the one of, if not the toughest leagues in New England,” explained Director of Athletic Operations Caroline Heatley. “They have competed in every game and challenged schools twice our size with confidence and purpose.
“Even with significant injuries this season, this team has rallied and fought to find their way to the Class-B New England tournament,” added Ms. Heatley. “[Former Head Coach] Donna Bibbo Mastrangleo lead our first team in the history of the school to a New England championship in 1994, and this team with its gritty play and relentless drive has all the makings of repeating history!
“We are so proud of what this young and talented team has accomplished this season,” said Ms. Heatley.
