Norton Soccer Team Focused On Goal

After falling just shy of its goal the past two seasons, the Norton Under-14 girls’ soccer Division 1 travel team is striving to win the South Coast Soccer League’s Division 1 title and earn a berth in the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions this spring.

With some alterations along the way, this team has pretty much been together for the past seven years, since the group formed for the first time prior to the Under-8 campaign.

This year’s squad consists of 16 players with all but one of the youngsters being eighth graders. Tim Dermody is the team’s head coach with Michelle Byrnes and John Erickson serving as assistant coaches. Dermody and Byrnes have been coaching the team for the past seven seasons, but this is the first year for Erickson.

“I’m very fortunate to have such a great group of kids, who are really dedicated,” Dermody said. “We started out with eight players that first year, but now we have 16. This team has consistently played at a high level for the last seven years. We want the kids to learn and enjoy playing soccer. We also want to get the kids prepared for the next level.”

Marisa Amato and Gillian Dermody play both midfield and forward. Amato has been part of the program since the Under-9 season. Dermody joined the team the year before.

“Marisa is a very fast, athletic and tough player who gives 100 percent,” Dermody said. “She plays aggressively and is an explosive player on the field who can score. Gillian is a quick, smart player who can handle the ball well and is a top of the line finisher (scorer). She is tough on the ball and distributes it well. Gillian is an excellent passer.”

Holly Beaucage, Brittany Byrnes and Lauren Erickson all play defense. Beaucage has been a member of the team for the past two seasons after her family moved to town from Scituate. Brynes and Erickson have been with the team for the past seven years.

“Holly is a very strong defender who has improved her play in every game,” Dermody said. “She is a hard worker, who is willing to step up and play physical when it is needed. Brittany is also a strong defender with the offensive mindset to make a play.

“She will find the open player or she will look to shoot. Lauren is a quick defender, who has great anticipation and is an excellent decision maker. She is a steady, reliable player who knows how to play the game from the back line.”

Megan Geib, Laura Johnson and Lauren MacGray have been a part of the team for the last seven years. Geib and Johnson play midfield and forward, while MacGray is a forward who is a freshman at Norton High.

“Megan is a hard-working player, who always looks to find the open teammate,” Dermody said. “Laura is a very fast player, who is tough with the ball. She can score and distribute the ball to her teammates. Lauren has very strong foot skills and is an excellent finisher with an eye for the net.”

Allison McPherson, a midfielder, and Lauren O’Connor, who plays both midfield and forward, have been members of the team for the past seven seasons.

“Allison can do it all,” Dermody said. “She is tough on the ball, is an excellent passer and can finish. Allison is a very, very smart soccer player and is a difference maker. Lauren is a hard-working player who always looks to find the open teammate.”

Olivia McCarthy and Bridgit Murray play both midfield and forward. McCarthy has been a member of the team for the past two seasons, while Murray joined the squad this year.

“They are hard-working players, who always look to find an open teammate,” Dermody said. “Olivia is getting stronger and more confident with every game she plays.”

Amy Pereira, Kyla Prosper and Kathryn Saba have been a part of the team for the last six seasons. Pereira plays sweeper. Prosper plays defense and Saba is the team’s goalkeeper.

“Amy is a strong, physical player with excellent speed,” Dermody said. “She is an excellent sweeper and is a difference maker on the back line. She can track down any opposing forward. Kyla is a very strong, physical player, who has exceptional anticipation. She brings a strong determination and work ethic to every practice and game. Kyla is always willing to step up and defend as well as make an offensive play and distribute the ball. Kat is a solid, experienced goalkeeper. She has made some great saves to preserve leads and win games for us over the past several years.”

In her third year, Emily Weber plays midfield and defense. “Emily is a very hard-working player, who gives a great effort and shows a lot of determination,” said Dermody. “She knows how to step up and defend as well as how to distribute the ball.”

Norton has been a terrific team on both ends of the field. The locals have scored 22 goals in their first seven games. They have allowed just six goals and have two shutouts.

“The kids are really playing well right now,” Dermody said. “I’m very pleased with their level of play. It has been fun to watch this team play this year. These are really smart girls, who are all very motivated. They all have very good soccer IQs.”

The team plays eight regular-season games and the locals have begun the campaign with a perfect 7-0 record and in first place in the South Coast Soccer League’s Division 1.

With their seven victories, the locals have 21 points, while Dartmouth is second with a 6-0-1 record and 19 points. Mariner, made up of youngsters from Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester and Achusnet, is third with a 4-1-2 mark and 14 points. Freetown-Lakeville is in fourth place with a 4-3-1 mark and 13 points. The division consists of nine teams with the top four qualifying for the playoffs. Those four teams have already clinched spots in the tournament, which begins on Saturday, June 11.

Norton will face a tough challenge during its final regular-season game in Dartmouth on Saturday at 1 p.m. If the locals win or tie, they will clinch the outright regular-season title and will host Freetown-Lakeville on June 11. A loss would drop Norton to the second seed and they would entertain Mariner, who the locals beat 1-0 on the road on April 23.

“Dartmouth will be a real test for us on Saturday,” Dermody said.

After falling just short of a title the past two years, Norton is looking to take that next step. The past two seasons at the Under-12 and Under-13 levels, the locals finished with an undefeated record during the regular season, but then lost in the tournament finals.

“Our goal this year is to get the number one seed and then to win the division championship and get to MTOC,” says Dermody of the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions, which will be held from June 24-26 in Lancaster.

“We are exactly where we need to be. I couldn’t be more pleased with the team’s development this year. I can’t give enough credit to the kids for how hard they work. We have been together for seven years and this has been by far the most enjoyable year.”