There is a whole lot of learning, development and improvement that happens on the field during MERHS sports as well. ME girls’ soccer coach Christo Manginis states that his team was able to take something away from a loss in which the Hornets were blanked, 4-0, by North Reading on Sept. 19.
“A 4-0 loss at home to North Reading certainly taught us some important lessons,” explains the coach. “With one month left in our regular season we have several important games coming up that offer great opportunities to make a statement.”
The effort was certainly there for Manchester Essex – especially early on in the game. But when repeated attempts to produce points failed to bear fruit, the other Hornets squad was able to counter and steadily build up a lead that would not be threatened thanks to a North Reading’s disciplined D.
“The momentum truly shifted when they doubled their lead a few minutes later,” Manginis says of North Reading. “[We] tried to rally at halftime and chase the game in the second half but were unable to break down a well-organized defense.”
Despite the outcome the Hornets seemed to learn something and began making a statement almost immediately after the North Reading game. Two days later, Manchester Essex headed to Rockport and picked up a 3-0 win, then forged a 1-1 tie with Stoneham on Sept. 23. The girls soccer squad was then lined up to face rival Georgetown on Sept. 26 at home before hitting the road to face traditionally strong programs in Newburyport (Sept 28, 4 p.m.) and Hamilton-Wenham (Oct. 3, 4 p.m.). The opportunity is certainly there for the team to keep the positive momentum going and make a statement.
In order to do that, the Hornets will need to continue to receive an all-star effort from center-forward and central figure Mechi O’Neill. The team captain has six goals and a pair of assists in the first seven games to help her team reach a 3-2-2 mark nearing the midway point.
“Her game is about more than just the numbers, though,” explains Manginis. “She works tirelessly and leads by example on and off the field.”
Also of note has been the play of Charlotte Crocker, a steady beacon in for Manchester Essex in the middle of the field.
“Charlotte Crocker has a playstyle that flies under the radar as a battler in central midfield and a player who starts many of our attacks,” says Manginis. “She has been our most consistent player.”
The Hornets have also benefited from the efforts of a pair of players who are new to the varsity squad but have successfully made the leap into this level of play.
“Grace Scarborough had a solid season last year as a freshman on varsity,” explains Manginis. “This year she has been phenomenal and cemented her place as a starter with several excellent displays. Izzy Zagrobski has earned the most minutes for a player new to the team this year, and has performed well, even grabbing an assist in our game versus Ipswich with a great cross.”
In the 1-1 tie with Stoneham, it was Lily Stefanovich – another name to remember from this squad – who got things started for the Hornets with a shot from the top of the box that gave Manchester Essex its lone tally of the contest. Stoneham rallied to even things up moments later, but Stefanovich, Crocker, Libby Lawler and Liv Kent dominated possession in the midfield to help limit Stoneham’s attempts, while defender Tori Moulton and goaltender Madi Cook made key plays to keep the score knotted. Lawler’s attempt to score off a long shot into the top corner clanged off the crossbar, marking the Hornets’ best shot at taking back the lead later in the game.
It took a while to get things going in the 3-0 win over Rockport, but about 30 minutes in, the Hornets saw their chance and took it.
“Finally, some great build up play involving goalkeeper Madi Cook and defenders Ella Arntsen and Mackay Brooks released Meg Hurd down the wing,” explains Manginis. “Her excellent run and pinpoint cross found Mechi O’Neil for a cool finish and her fifth goal of the season.”
Manchester Essex had only whetted its appetite for scoring with the O’Neil goal, with a throw-in from Scarborough leading to O’Neil and Izzy Zagrobski setting up Kent to score in the second half. Pippa Spingler set up O’Neil for a header attempt for a score, and O’Neil was able to collect the rebound to score and make it 3-0 in favor of the visitors.
