This season, the Lexington High School girls' soccer team will focus on one thing if it wants to improve on last year's campaign: consistency. Last season's team was a deceiving group that would play poorly in the first half, only to pick things up in the latter portions of the game, but most of the time it was too late.
"Obviously we need to make sure we play more consistent throughout the year and control what we can control," coach Frank Pagliuca said. "Something that we lacked was making sure that every game we don't wait until the second half to wake up. It's important that our captains really come through and make sure everybody else is on the same page."
The team returns 15 players from last year's 11-6-3 squad, and Pagliuca expects this to play into his team's advantage. They have four returning captains: senior Caroline Hammond, senior Jinah Oh, junior Emily Foley and junior Nandi Mehta.
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"We have a lot of returning girls with experience," Pagliuca said.
Another huge strength heading into the season is the midfield, which is especially dangerous on the outside. Also, the goaltending should be solid because it is a deep position for the squad.
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Heading into this season, the team looks to set the tone in the first week against Woburn. The Minutemen and Tanners kick off the season on Wednesday at Woburn.
"It'll be interesting to see how we come out; we'll be excited," Pagliuca said. "We have to focus on who we're playing. I know it's cliché, but it's true."
Heading into the 2010 season, the team looks to improve on their steady play, both early and late in the season. Pagliuca plans on stressing to his players that wins in September are just as important as wins later in the season, and gaining points any way possible is key in achieving one of their biggest goals: making the postseason.
"I would say consistency is our big obstacle," he said. "We've got to maintain a high level of effort, attitude, and level of play. To be successful in this league, we just have to come ready to play every day. We want to make the tournament and then follow that with a long run."
LEXINGTON GIRLS' SOCCER
Coach: Frank Pagliuca
League: Middlesex League
Last Year: 12-5-3
Key Returners: Captains Caroline Hammond, senior; Jinah Oh, senior; Emily Foley, junior; Nandi Mehta; junior
Key to Success: Pagliuca stressed playing at a more consistent level and having his four captains lead the way.
Game to Watch: The first game of the year against Woburn figures to be the most important. Lexington plans on setting the season's tone by shaking off last year's cobwebs.
Coaches Take: "With the team returning 15 players from last year's squad, this team will have a ton of experience and should be able to handle adversity should it arise."
