The Wildcats' young stars shined as the Westport girls soccer team dominated their last two opponents scoring 16 goals while yielding just one in moving to 2-2 for the season. Seventh grade forward Lily Veracka leads the team with 4 goals this season. The fierce striker scored two in the Wildcats 8-1 shellacking of Wareham and another in their 8-0 pounding of Bristol Plymouth. The slight built Veracka combines skill, speed, quickness with the heart of a lion. She can motor by opponents, but is not afraid to crash into the much larger defenders when necessary. Equally aggresive are forwards  Vivienne Melo, an eight grader and Ella Camara, a seventh grader.  Melo scored all three of her goals in the Bristol Plymouth game and Camara netted two during the Wareham game.  All of the young stars combine speed, skill and a firey determination to succeed.

“We have a young team, but a great team that’s motivated and want to win,” said head coach Gary Muello. “Our two seventh graders are superstars. Lily and Ella, they are really hungry and want to do well.”

The youthful Wildcats, who sport two juniors, one sophomore, five freshmen, two eighth graders and two seventh graders, have strong leadership in seniors Korynne Holden and Emily Edwards, both six year starters. Holden, a Wildcats’ attacking midfielder, guides the offense, while Edwards, a center back, directs the defense. 

“They are great leaders,” said Coach Muello. “I am really proud of both of those two. They are wonderful people.” 

“I think we are going to have a good season,” said Holden. “We may not have as many girls this season and some of us may be tiny, but our skill and our chemistry is so much better than last year.”

“Coach’s goal this year is have us work together, no matter what position that he puts us in,” said Edwards. “We have a lot of young players that can step up and play any position.”

Junior veterans Julia George and Tess Silvia are also playing big roles on offense as well as defense. George is the team’s holding midfielder and Silvia plays attacking midfielder, opposite Holden. Both juniors scored against Wareham. Silvia also had a goal in the Bristol Plymouth game. 

“They really stand out,” said Edwards of the juniors. 

Edwards and George are both strong players that anchor the defense. Freshmen Jacqueline Jusseaume, Audrey Xavier and sophomore Alex Neronha make up the back line with Edwards. 

“Our defense is the same as last season,” Holden said. “They are trustworthy. If the midfielders get beat, we know that defense will take care of business.” 

Coach Muello is using both Morgan Pacheco, a freshman, and Melo at goalkeeper. Though, if Melo keeps scoring while playing offense, she may play herself out of the position. 

“Even though they haven’t played goal before, they are both improving,” said Holden. “They may not have a lot of experience, but they try hard and have very good hand-eye coordination.”

Both captains and Coach Muello think the team has a very good chance to make the playoffs this season. 

“Our goal is set to make the tournament, believe it or not,” said Coach Muello. “I am really proud of the whole team. They just work well together.”

Scoring 

Westport scoring in 8-1 win over Wareham: Lily Veracka and Ella Camara each scored 2 goals, Kaelyn Butter, Vivienne Melo, Tess Silvia and Julia George each scored one. 8-0 win over Bristol Plymouth: Vivienne Melo scored 3 goals and Tess Silvia, Lily Veracka, Kaelyn Butter, Korynne Holden and Morgan Pacheco each scored one. 

Wildcats win four straight 

The Westport soccer team edged Southeastern 1-0, walloped Wareham 7-0 and beat Bishop Stang 4-0 after crushing Carver 7-1 in their home opener on Wednesday, 9/6. The Wildcats are an undefeated 4-0 and 1-0 in league play. 

Nyzaiah Pacheco scored the lone goal in the Southeastern game played on the Wildcats new home field on Friday, 9/15. The goal was assisted by Landen Novo. Goalkeeper Noah Pacheco made 3 saves during the game. 

“The defensive back four of Marcos Dutra Africano, Ryan Borges, Nick Stanton, and Garrett Skov limited Southeastern's attacking opportunities with a tremendous team effort,” said head coach Chris Parker. 

Striker Will Quinlan scored 4 goals as the Wildcats walloped Wareham 7-0 in an away game on Tuesday 9/19. Pacheco scored a goal and added 2 assists. Carter Couto also scored and tallied an assist.  

Quinlan scored 2 goals as Westport beat Bishop Stang 4-0 in a home game on Friday, 9/22. Marcos Dutra Africano and  Jake Cross also scored. Couto tallied an assist. 

Ryan Borges, Zachary Lopes, Ben Cross, Nick Stanton, and Landen Novo all played well in front of Amaral, who picked up his third shutout of the season. The win was the soccer team’s 20th consecutive home victory.