Winchester Girl's Soccer Ready for Another Season

The Winchester girl's soccer team has won three straight Middlesex League titles and hasn't lost a league game the past two seasons. Coach Chris Scanlon said it remains to be seen if that success can continue.

"I'm always optimistic about the potential," said Scanlon, who is entering his 33rd season. "Last year we graduated some very good players but that happens regularly in high school, and I'm asking my seniors to step up and continue that tradition."

The team will have four experienced senior captains this season. Olivia Gjesteby, who will likely play left halfback, is an excellent passer with either foot. She also controls possession and moves well with the ball. Amy Castinetti, a defensive midfielder, wins the ball in the air regularly and can pass effectively in space. Shannon Quinn is a tenacious, highly competitive forward with a strong, driven shot
and good speed. And Emily Aliberti, a right fullback, is an aggressive player who is very tough to get by.

"They all have varsity experience, have all played with strong teams and I think they're well suited to help carry us," Scanlon said.

They will be called on a strong core of graduated seniors from last year's team, which reached the sectional semifinals. That group includes three girls who are now playing at the next level — Kayla Austin (UMass), Julie Favorito (Middlebury) and Hillary Savoy (Northeastern).

"We did lose some very good soccer players," Scanlon said. "This team wants to prove that they're as good, and that's a very good motivation and ambition to strive for."

Scanlon is also excited about the school's new turf field. No longer will the team have to prepare without knowing if the game would be postponed for days in case of bad weather.

"That is a special opportunity for us to know that our field is basically perfect every time we play on it," Scanlon said. "We need more of those fields so that we don't kill our grass fields."

Though Scanlon, a member of the Massachusetts High School Soccer Coaches' Hall of Fame, has already won 28 Middlesex League championships, he is eagerly awaiting his chance for a 29th.

"I can't wait for it to start," Scanlon said. "That's the challenge of a high school coach — the season is so short and there's nine months you have to wait for it to start again. I really enjoy coaching this team, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this team gels together."

Winchester girl's soccer

Last season: 18-1-1
Key players: Olivia Gjesteby, Sr., M; Amy Castinetti, Sr., M; Shannon Quinn, Sr., F; Emily Aliberty, Sr., D.
Key losses: Kayla Austin, F; Julie Favorito, M; Hillary Savor, M.
Outlook: The team will have to replace the past two Middlesex League MVPs — Austin, who win in 2008, and Savoy, who won in 2009. But the Sachems haven't lost a league game in two years, and the returning players have enough talent to stay atop the standings as long as they can develop into a team.
Quote: " I'm asking my seniors to step up and continue that tradition." — Coach Chris Scanlon.