PCSS II celebrates outstanding fall season in school athletics program

Pioneer Charter School of Science II (PCSS II) has just celebrated an outstanding season in athletics. While the school, along with its Everett-based sister school Pioneer Charter School of Science I (PCSS I), is highly regarded for its academic programs, the achievements of its student-athletes and its alumni who have transitioned into coaching roles have also contributed significantly to its tradition of excellence within the Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization (MCSAO).

“This has been a stand-out season for Pioneer Charter athletics,” said PCSS I & PCSS II Athletic Director Phil Signoroni. “We couldn’t be prouder of our students’ work both on the field and in the classroom. Their continued grit and determination over the years have seen our athletics program evolve from relative obscurity to a force to be reckoned with.”

In cross country, the Girls Cross Country team had two eighth graders, Reem Ferahi and Naomi MacNeil, finish in the top 20 at the MCSAO Championship Meet on October 24 at Sheepfold Reservation in Stoneham. On the same day, the Boys Cross Country team finished third overall in the MCSAO North Invitational at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus. On October 29, the Boys’ team finished fourth overall at the MCSAO Championship Meet at Sheepfold Reservation.

Both the Girls & Boys teams were coached by Aoguzi McDonald. Coach McDonald is a PCSS II alumni and winner of the Pirate of the Year Athletics Award in 2019.

Notably, the Girls Volleyball team had a regular season record of 19-2, won the MCSAO Championship for the first time in school history and won their first-ever MIAA tournament game in the preliminary round vs. Boston United, and advanced to the first round vs. Carver High School. Coach Adalet Canovic won the MCSAO North Division Coach of the Year, and freshman Lilly Khuon won the MCSAO North Division MVP and was named to the MCSAO North Division All-League team along with sophomore Maya Trigueros, junior Maria Silva and senior Adeyinka Olowu.

Sabine Desir, a junior at PCSS II and a member of the Girls Volleyball team, attributed the team’s success to great chemistry and the support of the PCSS II school community. “We consider ourselves to be like a family and are always uplifting and motivating each other,” she said. “Volleyball is a mental game, so it was important for us to have a coachable mindset, and it was also inspirational for us to have faculty, staff, and students come out to support us at the games.”

The Girls Soccer Team, which is a co-op with PCSS I, finished in third place in the MCSAO and won their MCSAO Quarterfinal Game vs. Salem Academy, 3-0, to advance to the semifinals, where they lost, 1-0, vs. Boston Collegiate. Juniors Maria Alves and Alaa Zad and sophomore Fatima Nejmi made the MCSAO North Division All-League Team.

The Boys’ Soccer Team, which is also a co-op with PCSS I, finished in second place in the MCSAO and narrowly lost in overtime to #1 seed Excel Academy in the MCSAO Championships. The team received its highest ever ranking in the MIAA tournament, entering as the #11 seed in the state. The team beat Salem Academy in the tournament’s first round, advancing past #6 seed Ayer-Shirley in the penalty kicks in the round of 16 and making it to the round of 8, where they eventually lost to #3 seed Bromfield School.

For more info about PCSS, access https://www.pioneercss.org/