The Lincoln High School girls’ soccer team had a rough beginning to their season, losing their first six matches, but they’ve demonstrated determination with three wins in their last five games, giving reason for optimism as they approach the second half of the season.
“I think we just needed that one win to boost our confidence,” said junior Brooke Demarco after their first victory over Mount Hope. “We’ve been working hard in practice, and it is starting to pay off. Now, we just need to stay focused and keep building from here.”
The turning point arrived with a 3-0 win against Mount Hope. The offense finally clicked, with senior forward Sofia Cacchiotti scoring two goals, showcasing her leadership and talent in the front line. Sophomore forward Danika Denham also contributed with a goal, using her speed and agility to give the team a much-needed boost in attack. This victory revitalized the team, who were eager to prove themselves and get their season back on track.
The disappointing start was plagued by inconsistency on both offense and defense. Head coach Christina Maciel, acknowledged that the players initially had a hard time taking advantage of scoring chances, and defensive lapses were proving to be detrimental early on.
“We know that we’re close,” Coach Maciel said. “We’re not where we want to be yet, but there’s no quit in these girls. They’re fighting, and I believe in what this team can do.”
The girls’ first win was followed by two tough losses against LaSalle and North Kingstown, but they’ve won back to back games since then.
Sophomore Riley Bouthillette was vital in their 3-1 victory against Pilgrim, scoring two important goals that highlighted her skills and provided the team with a much-needed boost in offense. Additionally, junior Ella Caldarone contributed another goal, further establishing her importance to the squad. This win not only lifted the team’s spirits but also instilled a strong belief that they could take on any opponent.
The team’s third win of the year was a 3-0 victory at home against Smithfield, highlighted by an impressive game from sophomore forward Abbi Kapadia, who netted two goals. Senior defensive midfielder Olivia Riley also contributed with a goal, proving her skills in both attacking and defending.
As the season progresses, the girls will continue to face tough competition, but their recent wins and close games has started to give them hope and a boost of confidence. With the combination of veteran leadership from Cacchiotti and Caldarone and rising young talent in players like Denham and Bouthillette, have shown that they can finish strong.
The girls will play their next match at Barrington on Thursday October 10th.
