The Concord-Carlisle High School girls' soccer team is ready to play its first game against Waltham on Saturday. The Patriots' captains are especially eager to start the season as they've played together since the fourth grade.
"We've been playing together for a long time," said senior Posie Holmes.
Both Holmes and fellow senior captain Jamie Potter have been four-year starters on Concord-Carlisle's varsity team.
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Their best moments as individual players happened last season when they were fighting Woburn to get into the MIAA Division 1 North sectional tournament.
"We were playing to get in and Woburn was playing to get in," said Holmes."We were on the line."
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Holmes and Potter described the game as "the most physical, most intense game I've ever played in."
"(Our) hearts were on the line. It was at home. We went into overtime. Our family and friends were watching. Our senior captain last year scored both goals. It was in sudden death. We won 2-1 against Woburn," they both explained.
"Everyone rushed onto the field," Holmes continued with an energetic smile.
The team graduated 11 seniors and now has what Holmes referred to as a young team – a mix of five freshmen, five sophomores and juniors and seniors. Potter said that she's looking forward to "getting to know everyone.
"This team has so much potential and progress," Potter said.
In unison the girls said they're ready to play Bedford. No intense rivalry there, just an exhausting game last year that excites them for a rematch.
"We have a long history with Bedford," Holmes said. "We're extra competitive."
Potter said that a game the team played against Bedford last year just wasn't going in C-C's favor.
"It was a night game, there was a hand ball, it was a disappointment," Potter said.
They're looking forward to the next time they meet Bedford, which will be Sept. 21 at home and Sept. 22 at Bedford.
The games against Acton-Boxborough and Lincoln-Sudbury will also be good matches, both girls agreed.
"We always have to have the mindset that we're in the game," Potter said, saying that every game will be a challenge and all of the competitors are competition.
CONCORD-CARLISLE GIRLS' SOCCER
Coach: Nancy Slocum (13th season)
League: Dual County League Small Division
Last Year: 10-7-3. Lost two games into the MIAA Division 1 North tournament against Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, which lost in the state finals.
Returning Players: Courtney McCauley (senior), Lindsay Cook (senior), Sarah Robitaille (senior), Michelle Solomon (senior), Lauren Tierney (junior), Lucy Fell (sophomore), Andrea O' Brien (sophomore), Maila Kodas (sophomore), Michaela Haller (sophomore), Annie Bannon (junior) Jamie Potter (senior captain) and Posie Holmes (senior captain)
Key to Success: "Being tough defensively. Quick transitions to defense. Battling for every single opportunity," Slocum said.
Game to Watch: "The next one."
Coach's Take: "It's an exciting team. Five freshmen, five sophomores. Excellent captains so far," said coach. She continued on saying that Potter and Holmes have been great with the roles of caring and concerning while also being tough.
