The accomplishments for Masconomet star Maggie Blosser felt like they were endless last year.
She scored an eye-catching 34 goals, was an All-State selection and, most importantly, played a massive role in the Chieftains going unbeaten to capture a state title for the first time since 1989.
The bevy of accolades could have found a way to diminish Blosser’s competitive appetite as she entered her junior year, but her relentless work ethic is again driving Masconomet to a terrific season.
“Maggie doesn’t get to where she gets by resting on her laurels,” Masconomet head coach Alison Lecesse said. “The cat’s out of the bag. She’s a phenomenal player and nobody can claim not to know this anymore.”
Blosser feels the spotlight shining brighter on her this season, which grew even bigger when she committed to Maryland alongside her twin sister, Lily, in August.
Opponents mark her tougher than in years past as Blosser has learned how to handle the extra attention.
“It’s definitely a lot of pressure, but I feel like it’s something that I’ve gotten used to,” Blosser said. “It’s something I’ve had on my back for almost my whole life. So, I feel like I’ve gotten used to adapting, like, ‘OK, if a team’s going to put two players on me, I’ll just find the open player.’ ”
In a way, Masconomet is asking Blosser to do more this fall. She played striker for the first time last season, but due to turnover on defense and injuries elsewhere, Blosser has played everywhere except goalie through 12 games.
Blosser, who has recorded eight goals and six assists, is using her elite playmaking ability and high soccer IQ to fuel the Chieftains while also filling the void of her sister, who starred in the midfield but is out for the season due to a torn ACL.
“It feels like a part of me is missing, where we’ve played together our whole lives,” Blosser said. “We know how each other play in and out. We work super well together. … Obviously, she was a huge part of our success last year and it’s definitely been hard (without her).”
Blosser experienced a first with Masconomet when it dropped its season opener to Marblehead, which was the first regular-season loss for the Chieftains since 2021.
Masconomet drummed up the perfect response, though, winning 10 out of its last 11 games, including outscoring its last five opponents, 23-0. The Chieftains seemed to follow the lead of Blosser to get back on track as Blosser did what she does best, which is just continuing to work as hard as ever.
“Having that fire is something we need,” Lecesse said. “So, we’re happy to embrace that.”
Winchester blocks out noise
The Winchester girls team is having another strong campaign with an 8-2-1 record. It’s even more impressive considering the upheaval the program went through at the start of the season.
Head coach Michelle Ross resigned from her post Aug. 26 after outside criticism reportedly arose that she deliberately left off players on the varsity team to make room for several underclassmen on the roster. She also was alleged to have bullied at least one player, but all allegations were deemed to be unsubstantiated and she returned to the Winchester sideline Sept. 8 after missing two games.
Ross credited her players’ resolve to persevere on the field despite dealing with a major distraction.
“I am not surprised, given the team’s character and personality that I have seen thus far,” said Ross, who is in her second year at the helm and is the first female coach in program history. “If you would ask me if it were any other team, I would say I am absolutely floored. Not having really a coach for two weeks I think could have really set them back.
“They did this. They were running their own practices for more than a week through all of this and they had to really filter out the noise so that they were able to focus on themselves and the team.”
Winchester senior captains Amanda Mitchell, Gabby Hermsdorf, Juliet Semmes and Lilly Ossen helped guide the Red and Black through that situation and to two marquee wins over Lexington.
Ossen netted the only goal in the first matchup against the Minuteman, a feat since it was the first tally Lexington surrendered after starting the season with six straight shutouts.
“They lead with amazing grit and determination and are able to get the best out of each player,” Ross said.
Rockets soaring
A 2-2 record over the last two weeks for the Needham boys doesn’t tell the full story. The Rockets went up against the state’s iron and came out of it with noteworthy results.
Needham suffered 1-0 losses to three-time defending Division 2 state champion Oliver Ames and Bay State Conference foe Weymouth, while also handing St. John’s Prep its first loss and defeating Newton South, 1-0, this past Saturday.
The Rockets were especially tested against the Lions when goalie Will Noon made an early save on a penalty kick before Needham held off a fierce charge following Conor O’Brien’s goal midway through the first half.
“It kind of proved what we’re capable of doing against good teams defensively,” Needham head coach Jimmy Odierna said. “(It also) forced us to make some modifications to handle their adjustments.”
