The Varsity Soccer team recently wrapped up another terrific season this fall! With a record of 14 wins, zero ties, and four losses, the team experienced a mix of challenging, fun and different games and practices. With a variety of girls across five different grade levels, the communal aspect of the team is one that both the players and coaches can agree they love the most. By playing together often (at least four times a week whether it was practices or games), the team was able to develop strong chemistry on the field that helped them to succeed this season.
Led by senior captains Grace Sanyu ‘25 and Keira Pek ‘25, the team’s success is greatly due to Grace and Keira’s incredible skill, support, and, most importantly, great leadership both on and off the field. Some other players who certainly deserve an honorable mention include Rachel Dunn ‘25, Ellie Poulos ‘27, and Bria Santoro ‘29. Rachel Dunn was an incredible center back, who always gave it her all on the field and brightened the team with her positivity. Ellie Poulos was one of the team’s leading scorers, and she brought lots of humor, encouragement and skill to the team. Bria Santoro ‘29 was a hungry attacking midfielder and striker, who always managed to put the ball in the back of the net even in tense and difficult games. Unfortunately, Bria became injured towards the end of the season at the game against Newton Country Day School, so the team lost her for the rest of the season.
During their in-season games for the Independent Girls Conference, Montrose had a very impressive record. Winning ALL 12 games played, Montrose took home another IGC win. The team’s toughest competition for this league included Landmark School and Covenant Christian Academy. When the team first played Landmark School on Sept. 18, they took home a crushing 8-0 win. On Oct. 1, however, when Landmark and Montrose met again at Landmark, the game looked a lot different. Montrose was fortunately able to pull out a win, yet this time only 2-1. When Montrose faced Covenant Christian Academy (CCA) at home on Oct. 2, they sweeped up an 8-0 win. The second time that Montrose faced CCA was in the IGC Finals on Nov. 5. In a game of high stakes, Montrose went in with an anxious energy. Despite the humming tension in the air, Montrose graced the field with a balanced confidence and positive mindset. Because of this, they scored five terrific goals and gave up zero, which gave them the title of IGC champs!
Despite challenging games against Newton Country Day School (the final score was 2-1 NCDS), Portsmouth Abbey (1-0 PA), and Dana Hall (4-1 DH), Montrose learned from these games and came back stronger, making their way into the Class C New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC tournament). On Nov. 13, Montrose commuted to Connecticut to face Greens Farms Academy to play in the quarter finals for the NEPSAC tournament. Never having played this team before, Montrose essentially went into this game “blind”. Although a 3-0 loss was not ideal, Montrose was not mad at all about this final result. In fact, all were content about the battle that Montrose put up and the great game that each player played. This game was also a chance for each player to look back and admire the improvement and growth throughout the team this season.
Libby Hamel ‘29 contributes: “Being on Varsity Soccer as an eighth grader has been an amazing opportunity to grow in skill and as a person. It was also such a fun season between the long bus rides and our fun senior-ran practices, and I am very excited for next season!”
Special thanks to coaches Lauren Francis and Emily Kuefler, for we could not have achieved what we did without your dedication, positivity and guidance.
We are also devastated to say goodbye to our four wonderful seniors, Grace Sanyu, Keira Pek, Rachel Dunn and Izzy Farese. You all brought so much to the team and we will miss you very much next year. Wishing you all the best of luck in college!
And with that, the Varsity Soccer season has officially come to a bittersweet close!
By Grace Lynch ‘29, Contributing Writer
29glynch@montroseschool.org
