Saugus girls soccer hits the postseason after stellar fall campaign

By Dom Nicastro

The 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 significant 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 confidence 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 have bought into Coach Martinez’s system right away and they are seeing the benefits of it. No one person is bigger than the overall team goal.”

Key players contributed significantly to Saugus’ success, with standout statistics reflecting their collective strength.

Madison Botta led the team with 32 goals and 16 assists, asserting herself as a consistent offensive 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 field 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, 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:

• 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.