THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 8, 2024 Page 11 Saugus girls soccer hits the postseason after stellar fall campaign By Dom Nicastro T he Saugus Sachems girls soccer team closed their regular season with an impressive 13-2-3 record, securing the No. 9 seed in the Division 3 MIAA tournament. Guided by first-year head coach April Martinez, the Sachems showcased a blend of talent, resilience and teamwork as they enter the postseason. Their initial playoff matchup is against No. 24 East Bridgewater, who recently defeated No. 41 Boston Latin Academy 6-0. A win in this matchup would set Saugus up to face either Apponequet Regional or Pope Francis. It’s a single-elimination tourney. April Martinez’s debut season as head coach has drawn signifi cant praise for her leadership and the trust she’s fostered within the team. Saugus Athletics Director Matthew Serino said she’s been a great addition to Saugus High School. “She’s done a great job connecting with the girls and building trust,” Serino said. “She knows how to build confi dence in each player and has them believing when they are playing to their abilities, they can stand toe to toe with anyone.” This season, the Sachems proved their mettle by competing closely with powerhouses such as Danvers, showcasing a spirit of belonging and competitive confidence. Serino emphasized this, saying, “This group is highly skilled, but more importantly they work together as a team. They FOOTBALL |FROM PAGE 10 cut and has begun breaking it down in preparation for Friday’s game. “We know they run a spread off ense and have some good athletes,” Cummings said. have bought into Coach Martinez’s system right away and they are seeing the benefi ts of it. No one person is bigger than the overall team goal.” Key players contributed signifi cantly to Saugus’ success, with standout statistics refl ecting their collective strength. Madison Botta led the team with 32 goals and 16 assists, asserting herself as a consistent off ensive threat. Shawn Sewell added 20 goals and nine assists, while sister Shay Sewell notched 12 goals and 13 assists, demonstrating their balanced contribution to both scoring and playmaking. The team’s strong performance is rooted in their dedication and commitment to growth. Serino expressed admiration for their work ethic, noting, “What impresses me most with this group is their dedication to their craft. They are a devoted group who shows up each and every day pushing one another, wanting to get better.” This devotion has fueled not only their successes on the fi eld but also their role as influential figures in the community. Beyond their skill and determination, the Sachems have embraced their identity as role models. “They have embraced the role of being student-athletes at Saugus High School, but more importantly they have embraced the role of being role models to our younger athletes,” he said. Norwell (18-0-2) earned the No. 1 seed in the 44-team Division 3 bracket. Medfield, “They play a tough schedule in the Merrimack Valley, so they’re going to be battle-tested. It’s always interesting to prepare for a team you haven’t faced before, and we’re ready to put in the work this week to get ready.” Weston, Nipmuc Regional and Dover-Sherborn followed, along with familiar North Shore foes North Reading (15-1-2), eliminated, and Danvers (12-3-3) in No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. Newburyport followed Saugus as the No. 10 seed at 12-3-3. Other North Shore teams in the bracket include: St. Mary’s, No. 18, 9-6-3. Eliminated. Bishop Fenwick, No. 30, 7-8-3. Swampscott, No. 32, 6-7-5. Eliminated. Revere, No. 43, 9-7-0. Eliminated. He’s Back...and Better Than Ever! John A. Fitzpatrick (Fitzy) Sales & Lease Consultant Direct: 617.410.1030 Main: 617.381.9000 Cell: 617.279.9962 jfitzpatrick@mcgovernauto.com jfitzpatrick McGovern Automotive Group 100 Broadway, Rte. 99, Everett This is a solicitation of insurance. Contact may be made by an insurance agent or insurance company. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government entity or agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 2 organizations, which offer 27 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY: 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. CareFree384a 8/2023
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