Meet the top 21 high school girls soccer players from the SouthCoast to watch in 2023
With only five Standard-Times Super Teamers back from a year ago, there will be plenty of opportunities for players in the area to break out and make a name for themselves on SouthCoast soccer fields this season.
Fairhaven's Liza Pinette, the 2022 Girls Soccer Player of the Year, has taken her game to Western New England College and the honor will be up for grabs among a talented group of local players that includes the Super Team returners — Bishop Stang's Meg Pimental, Dartmouth's Hailey Martins, Fairhaven's Lauren Bernardo, Old Colony's Breanna Arruda and Old Rochester Regional's Delaney Chase.
While some teams were hard-hit by graduation losses, others are in great shape with the return of experienced, impact players who make the area such a hot bed for girls soccer. In any event, the focus for all nine area schools — Apponequet, Bishop Stang, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, GNB Voc-Tech, New Bedford, Old Colony, Old Rochester, and Wareham — will be making the MIAA state playoffs.
GNB Voc-Tech, New Bedford, Old Colony, Old Rochester, and Wareham will all be looking to get back to the postseason after not qualifying last season.
Fairhaven will be out to build on last year's historic season that produced an undefeated 16-0-2 regular season and the first South Coast Conference Small Division championship in school history.
Apponequet will look to defend the South Coast Conference Large Division championship it won last season. The Lakers head into the season without long-time head coach Robin Ireland, who stepped down in the offseason and has been replaced by Walter Seaberg.
Here's a look at the top 21 girls soccer players to watch in the SouthCoast in 2023:
JAIDA BEAULIEU, APPONEQUET
A senior, Beaulieu will play a key role for the Lakers as a midfielder. "She's a leader who has good foot work and fundamentals," said Apponequet head coach Walter Seaberg. "Jaida handles the ball well and she's going to help us as an attacking midfielder. She's very strong on crosses and we're hoping she creates a lot of scoring chances for herself and her teammates."
GIANNA SARKISIAN, APPONEQUET
A tough one-on-one defender, Sarkisian will anchor the Lakers' defense as a senior sweeper. "Gianna has good speed and she sees the field really well," said Seaberg. "She's a take-charge kind of player who knows how to direct traffic and keep everybody on the same page in front of the net."
EMMA SEABERG, APPONEQUET
A versatile junior midfielder who shined in her first two seasons with the Lakers, Seaberg has a tremendous skill set and is a hard worker. "Emma has really good vision and ball skills," Seaberg said of his daughter. "She strikes the ball well and she's able to go on the attack and then shift gears to get back on defense. She's a very fluid player who's going to help us all over the field."
IZZIE BROMAGE, BISHOP STANG
A junior forward who has been a starter since she was a freshman, Bromage scored 15 goals and notched 10 assists last season to help the Spartans qualify for the MIAA state tournament. "Izzie has made a lot of progress and her goal scoring totals have gone up each season," said Bishop Stang head coach Bob Shields. "She's strong on the ball and can shoot with both feet. She makes quality runs with the ball and she's very good at finishing her scoring chances."
MEG PIMENTAL, BISHOP STANG
A Standard-Times Super Team pick last season as a sophomore, Pimental notched 10 wins and three shutouts in net on the way to earning Catholic Central League All-Star honors. "Meg has been a starter since she was a freshman and she's gotten better each season," Shields said. "I think she's the top goalie in the area. She has great hands and great range on balls in the air and on the ground. She also has a strong, accurate boot and she has a real presence on the field. She's in command out there and she does a great job anchoring our defense."
KATHERINE CHEESEBRO, DARTMOUTH
The reigning Standard-Times Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Cheesebro will be called upon to fill in at goalie in the early going while senior starter Lindsey Kline recovers from a knee injury. Cheesebro played center fullback last season and was part of a stellar defensive unit that allowed only 1.3 goals a game. "Katherine is the best athlete we have, and she just wants to help the team be successful," said Dartmouth head coach Scot Boudria. "Switching to goalie is going to be a challenge, but she has great hands, and she sees the field well. She's very athletic though, and I'm sure she'll do a good job for us in net."
SARAH KELLY, DARTMOUTH
A senior forward, Kelly finished as Dartmouth's leading scorer last season with 14 goals and three assists. "Sarah has a good nose for the net and she knows how to finish her scoring chances," Boudria said. "She has good speed, she's hard to knock off the ball, and she's a tough kid. She's been a key part of our offense the last couple of seasons, and she always seems to rise to the occasion in tight games."
HAILEY MARTINS, DARTMOUTH
A Standard-Times Super Team pick last season as a junior center fullback, Martins anchored a tough-as-nails Dartmouth defense that allowed only 1.3 goals a game. "Hailey is our quarterback on defense," Boudria said. "She's a great one-on-one defender and she keeps everybody on the same page with her communication skills. She has legitimate skills. She knows how to play the game and she proves it every time she takes the field."
LAUREN BERNARDO, FAIRHAVEN
Scored 10 goals and notched eight assists last season as a junior midfielder on the way to earning Standard-Times Super Team honors. Helped lead the Blue Devils to a 16-0-2 regular season and the first South Coast Conference Small Division championship in school history. "Lauren is a workhorse for us in the middle of the field," said Fairhaven head coach Allie Lima. "She tracks the ball well and she's a threat on offense because she moves the ball so well. She's the one we look for to set our offense in motion and put pressure on opposing defenses."
SOPHIA FLEURENT, FAIRHAVEN
The Blue Devils have to replace the 30 goals that leading scorer Liza Pinette (the 2022 Standard-Times Girls Soccer Player of the Year) netted last season, and they're hoping that Fleurent steps up as a senior forward. "Sophia has good speed and she moves the ball well," Lima said. "She's a good playmaker who creates scoring chances for herself and her teammates, and she's really good at crossing the ball into the area. She also has a strong leg and she'll be taking all of our corner kicks,"
DIANA SOUSA, GNB VOC-TECH
The Bears are looking for good things from Sousa, a senior midfielder who missed last season with a knee injury. "Diana is going to be our field general and we're glad to have her back," said GNB Voc-Tech head Jennifer Racine. "She has great field vision and she knows how to control the ball and distribute it. She's a good passer and we'll look to her to win balls in the middle of the field, find her teammates and set our offense in motion."
CAITLYN CORDEIRO, NEW BEDFORD
Will play a key role on defense as a junior goalie for the Whalers, who will be looking to get back on track and make the MIAA state tournament after a three-win season a year ago. "Caitlyn has good hands and she controls our defense," said New Bedford head coach Kristen Scotti. "She's fearless and she plays with a lot of heart. She's confident in herself and she's made a lot of progress the last couple of seasons. We're going to have to circle our wagons in front of her and play hard to keep our opponents from scoring."
LEXIE FITZGERALD, NEW BEDFORD
Has recovered from a broken ankle suffered last season and will help the Whalers' defense as a senior fullback. "Lexie is a great defender and we're happy that she's back with the team," Scotti said. "She's a strong kid with good speed who reads games well. She's hard to beat in one-on-one situations and she's as tough mentally as she is physically.
BREANNA ARRUDA, OLD COLONY
Earned Standard-Times Super Team honors as a junior goalie after finishing with a 1.97 goals-against average and four shutouts. "Brea is fearless out there," said first-year Old Colony head coach Paul Soucy. "She's athletic and she has really good skills. She moves well side to side and she has great hands. She's an experienced keeper and she's going to keep us in a lot of games."
AVA TEIXEIRA, OLD COLONY
A senior forward who led the Cougars in scoring a year ago, Teixeira has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. "Ava scored some nice clean-up goals last season," Soucy said. "She's strong on the ball and she uses her speed to make good runs. She has a nose for the net and she's good at creating scoring chances for herself and her teammates with her ball skills and passing."
IZZY HOUGASIAN, OLD COLONY
A senior fullback, Hougasian will play a key role on a team that will look to tighten things up on defense this season. "Isabelle is a take-charge kind of player who's very vocal with her teammates," Soucy said. "She tracks the ball well and we're going to need her to play with energy and focus and keep everybody on the same page when it comes to marking up and protecting the net when opponents put pressure on us."
DELANEY CHASE, OLD ROCHESTER
One of the most versatile and fundamentally-sound players in the area, Chase returns after earning Standard-Times Super Team honors last season as a sophomore midfielder. "Delaney established herself as a strong player last year with her understanding of midfield, excellent passing skills and leadership," said Old Rochester head coach Jeff Lombard said. "This year, the team will look for her to continue her growth and go on to the next level."
JEANNINE DUCHAINE, OLD ROCHESTER
Has been a starter for the Bulldogs since she was a freshman and will help the team this season as a junior fullback. "Jeannine's strong vocal leadership, defending skills, and strong understanding of defense will be a big part of the team's success this year," Lombard said.
AUDREY THOMAS, OLD ROCHESTER
Has the potential to be an offensive threat for the Bulldogs this season as a junior forward and tri-captain along with Chase and Duchaine. "Audrey has continued to improve every year of her high school career," Lombard said. "With excellent speed, with and without the ball, and excellent touch, we're looking for a big offensive year from her this season."
SOPHIA NASCIMENTO, WAREHAM
Started every game last season as an eighth grader and returns as a freshman fullback. Has youth soccer experience and joined the Vikings with some good skills already in place. "Sophia is young, but she plays like a veteran," said Wareham head coach Megan Kashner. "She has a good feel for the game, and she plays with a lot of confidence. We're hoping for more good things from her this season."
ALEXIS PETTERSON, WAREHAM
Returns to the Vikings as an experienced senior fullback on a team that will be looking for a shutdown defender to emerge in the back line this season. "Alexis is going to be our field general," Kashner said. "She sees the whole field, she makes good decisions with the ball, and she wins a lot of 50-50-balls in tough spots. She's very athletic and she has a great touch on the ball."
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TEAM-BY-TEAM CAPSULES
APPONEQUET
Head coach: Walter Seaberg
Last year's record: 18-3-0
Top returners: Gianna Sarkisian, Sr., Sweeper; Jaida Beaulieu, Sr., MF; Emma Seaberg, Sr., MF; Reagan Flynn, Sr., FB; Molly Harrold, Sr., FB; Morgan Heyward, Sr., F; Casey Radley, Sr., MF/F; Leah McGee, Soph., FB; Cece Levrault, Soph., F
Key newcomer: Annie Smith, Fr., F/MF
Outlook: The Lakers will look to continue the winning tradition they built under former head coach Robin Ireland and make a deep run into the playoffs. The team returns a solid group of core players who have good skills and know what it's like to play in big games. The Lakers have a lot of experience and Seaberg will be able to call on a deep bench in his first season at the helm.
BISHOP STANG
Head coach: Bob Shields
Last year's record: 8-9-3
Top returners: Meg Pimental, Jr., G; Izzie Bromage, Jr., F; Kendyll Riedl, Sr., FB; Ellie Jones, Jr., MF; Addison Dumont, Jr., FB; Reese Dumont, Soph. F; Ava DiGiammo, Soph., FB
Key newcomer: Izzy Feeney, Soph., MF/F (transfer from Old Rochester)
Outlook: The Spartans looked good in the preseason and Shields expects them to be competitive in all of their games. A key to success will be finding ways to dig deep, win close games, and avoid playing from behind. It will be important for the team to build leads and lean on the defense to protect them.
DARTMOUTH
Head coach: Scot Boudria
Last year's record: 14-5-1
Top returners: Hailey Martins, Sr., FB; Katherine Cheesebro, Jr., G/FB; Lindsey Kline, Sr., G; Isabelle Sequin, Sr., FB; Sarah Kelly, Sr., MF/F; Lauren Kaiser, Sr., FB; Ava Oliveira, Sr., MF; Remy Barber, Jr., MF; Arianna Andrade, Soph., F
Key newcomers: Emma Green, Sr., FB; Jade Winters, Jr., MF; Katherine Canniff, Jr., FB; Aubrey DeSouza, Jr., FB; Ava Fernandes, Soph., F
Outlook: Dartmouth has lots of experience and depth to work with this season. Defense will again be a top priority after holding opponents to an average of 1.3 goals a game last season. If they put the ball in the net and give their defense leads to work with, they'll be tough to beat.
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FAIRHAVEN
Head coach: Allie Lima
Last year's record: 17-1-2
Top returners: Lauren Bernardo, Sr., MF; Christina Pimentel, Sr., MF; Sophia Fleurent, Sr., F; Ava Fernandes, Sr., MF; Eva Beltran, Soph., FB; Kennedy Allain, Soph., G
Key newcomer: Danyka Fonseca, FR., FB
Outlook: The Blue Devils have to replace their top scorer and starting goalie, but they return a good core group of players. Winning 50/50 balls and defending in the middle of the field will be two keys for a team that went undefeated in the regular season and won the first South Coast Conference Small Division championship in school history a year ago. The Blue Devils are also going to have to pass the ball well, keep possession, and pack it in on defense.
GNB VOC-TECH
Head coach: Jennifer Racine
Last year's record: 3-12-3
Top returners: Diana Sousa, Sr., MF; Kendra Santiago, Jr., F; Kaelyn Medeiros, Jr., G
Key newcomer: Abigail Medeiros, Fr., FB
Outlook: Racine is looking for good things from her returners this season. The team has good speed and will need to play well as a cohesive unit. The Bears are comfortable with each other and will try to build off the chemistry they've been able to develop together.
NEW BEDFORD
Head coach: Kristen Scotti
Last year's record: 3-14-1
Top returners: Ollie Costa, Sr., MF; Lexie FitzGerald, Sr., FB; Caitlin Almeida, Sr., MF/FB; Caitlyn Cordeiro, Jr., G
Key newcomers: Jaliyah Perry, Jr., FB; Emma Spooner, Fr., FB
Outlook: The Whalers will have to overcome some early-season bumps in the road because of injuries, but Scotti likes the overall makeup of her team. It will be important to try and build some early momentum while waiting to see where the team's leaders take the squad. Then, the focus will be on putting things together and executing better on both sides of the ball.
OLD COLONY
Head coach: Paul Soucy
Last year's record: 6-10-3
Top returners: Izzy Hougasian, Sr., FB; Ava Teixeira, Sr., F; Breanna Arruda, Sr., G
Key newcomers: Lindsey Bacchiocchi, Sr., MF; Kaleigh DeSousa, Jr., FB
Outlook: The Cougars will look to play good fundamental soccer when it comes to passing and possessing the ball. The players have bought into a triangle-style play on offense and Soucy would like to see the team move the ball better side to side. A key to the system will be how well the players adjust to the new system that Soucy is installing in his first season at the helm.
OLD ROCHESTER
Head coach: Jeff Lombard
Last year's record: 7-11-2
Top returners: Delaney Chase, Jr., MF; Jeannine Duchaine, Jr., FB; Liz Feeney, Jr., MF; Audrey Thomas, Jr., F
Key newcomers: Emerson Roy, Soph., G; Elise Modracek, Fr., FB
Outlook: The Bulldogs played with a lot of energy in the preseason, and they are coming off a season that saw them overcome setbacks and fight through some rough spells. That made the team tougher and eager to prove themselves this season. It will be important for the Bulldogs to play with more focus and get back to playing the fundamentally-sound soccer they're known for.
WAREHAM
Head coach: Megan Kashner
Last year's record: 1-13-4
Top returners: Alexis Petterson, Sr., FB; Carly Glover, Sr., G; Sophia Nascimento, Fr., FB
Key newcomers: Julie Young, Soph., MF; Jordyn Ellwood, 8th, MF; Farrah Cookson, 8th, MF
Outlook: The Vikings will be a new-look team this season with five returners and 17 additions to the roster. They'll be a work in progress in the early going, but Kashner likes the energy her team is going to bring to the field. Her players are quick learners and they're eager to make improvements and show what they can do together as a team.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: SouthCoast high school girls soccer players to watch in 2023
