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By Dom Nicastro
For four years, Saugus High School girls soccer fans watched Madison Botta break scoring records, help change the reputation of the program and redefine what was possible for a Sachem on the pitch.
What no one knew at the time—not even Botta—was how seamlessly she’d carry that momentum into the college game.
Now a freshman at Division 2 Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH, Botta is a key contributor on a historic Hawks team that won its first Northeast-10 Conference title in 34 years this month, earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA East Region and is hosting NCAA tournament matches on campus for the first time in program history. The tourney began earlier this week.
And she’s doing it the way Saugus fans remember, creating chances, setting up teammates and elevating everyone around her.
And scoring in the clutch: she had the team’s lone regulation goal in the Northeast-10 championship win on penalty kicks over Franklin Pierce University.
“Stepping into this program as a freshman during such a historic moment has been very exciting,” Botta said. “Our team is accomplishing so much, and I’m so glad to be a part of it with such a great group of players and coaches.”
Her impact? Immediate.
Her maturity? Noticeable.
Her coach’s confidence? Unmistakable.
From Saugus record-breaker to NE10 All-Rookie selection
Botta left Saugus as the all-time leading scorer with 137 career points, anchoring a two-year stretch that produced three of the top four scorers in program history (Botta, Shawn Sewell and Shayln Sewell).
That pressure—and success—prepared her for this jump.
“My time at Saugus definitely helped shape me,” she said. “Playing there taught me hard work and to be relentless. Saugus was always looked over in the Northeastern Conference, but our team was able to change that the last few years as we beat teams that were never beat before. Doing this came with a lot of extra work and determination, which overall made me a better and more motivated player as I knew college soccer would be more challenging, and I had to work hard to play.”
Botta arrived at Saint Anselm already hardened by expectations. She trained over the summer with collegiate athletes, focused on strength and speed and entered preseason ready to compete.
Her rewards?
- NE10 All-Rookie Team
- NE10 All-Conference Third Team
- Team leader in assists (five)
- One of the most relied-upon freshmen in the region
Not bad for a player who once tore up Saugus as an eighth-grader just getting her feet wet.
Coach Moyce: She took to it right away
Saint Anselm head coach Lee Moyce, in his own historic first season at the helm, did not mince words when it comes to Botta, telling the Advocate, “Madison has had an outstanding first season in the program.”
“Some players take a year or two before they are fully ready… others like Madison take to it right away.”
He praised her energy, determination and consistency, noting her goal in the NE10 championship as a defining moment of trust between player and staff.
“She has grown into a player who the staff feel confident with being on the field in the big moments,” he said. “Her attitude and application to each and every practice session has helped her deal with the intensity and physicality of the college game.”
And academically? She’s thriving, too.
She maintains her high academic standards, Moyce said, adding, “We hope as she continues to learn and grow that she will be a key figure in the team through her time at St A’s, and we hope with that we continue to have seasons like the one we are having right now.”
A team as close as it is talented
Saint Anselm is rolling—10-2-5 as it entered the NCAAs, unbeaten in conference play, with program-record All-Conference selections—and Botta says the culture is the secret.
“Since coming to Saint Anselm the team was super close and connected with each other,” she said. “The dynamic within the team is competitive as each player pushes one another to become better players individually, which as a whole makes the team better. The seniors and captains do a very good job with including everyone and creating a close bond within the whole team, and this overall contributes to the team’s game performance.”
The team’s chemistry eased her transition, and the leadership from seniors helped bridge the gap between high school stardom and college reality.
“I was welcomed and automatically felt a part of the community.”
The result? She looks like she’s been there for years.
Roots still running through Saugus
Even with the college spotlight on her, Botta hasn’t forgotten where it started.
“I am so grateful to have a community at home that cares so much about me,” she said. “It means a lot to represent my hometown, as I hope it inspires the younger generation.”
She keeps tabs on Saugus soccer—and still marvels that she, Shawn Sewell and Shayln Sewell finished top three in all-time Saugus scoring.
“I think it was so incredible,” she said. “I’m so grateful I got to play with such talented players, and I definitely miss playing with them.”
A historic run—and what comes next
Saint Anselm has never hosted NCAA tournament games—until now.
They’ve never won the NE10 since 1990—until now.
They’ve never been this deep, this talented, this balanced—until this season.
And in the middle of this run?
A freshman from Saugus who already looks like a cornerstone piece.
Botta’s goals moving forward are simple: “To grow as a player and continue to get better so I can further contribute to the team’s success. We want to continue to break more records and accomplish our team goals.”
Madison Botta by the numbers: Saugus to Saint Anselm
At Saugus High:
- 137 career points, most in program history
- Part of the dominant scoring trio with Shawn (100 points) and Shayln Sewell (83 points)
- Helped transform Saugus into a legit NEC contender after years of being overlooked
- Four-year varsity player who scored in all phases — finishing, creating, pressing
At Saint Anselm (freshman season):
- NE10 All-Rookie Team
- NE10 All-Conference Third Team
- Team leader in assists (5)
- Scored in the NE10 Championship Game
- Part of a team that finished 10-2-5 and undefeated in conference play
- Now competing in the NCAA tournament as the No. 1 seed in the East Region
Fun fact: Botta’s Hawks are the first Saint A’s team ever to host an NCAA D2 women’s soccer tournament game.
