Instead, the team wrote “Teamwork,” “Making memories,” “Healthy competition,” “Having fun,” and more across a large poster.
A laminated mini-replica is now kept on each player’s bag as a reminder.
Through 11 games, Weston (10-0-1) remains undefeated, outscoring foes 39-12. Ranked 12th in this week’s Globe Top 20, and second in the Division 3 Power Rankings, the Wildcats have an unusual opportunity this season.
“What I remind them of before the game is we didn’t have ‘Win states’ on our card. We didn’t have ‘Beat this opponent’ on our cards,” said 12-year Weston coach John Power. “What we had was ‘Great culture,’ ‘Take good care of each other,’ ‘Lift each other up.’”
The Wildcats have yet to discuss the state tournament, nor do they even discuss winning the upcoming game before stepping out on the pitch.
‘The last thing I tell them before they go out is ‘We love you. Have fun.’’
Weston girls’ soccer coach John Power, on his pregame message to his team
“We don’t even talk about wanting to win that day,” Power said. “The last thing I tell them before they go out is ‘We love you. Have fun.’”
The Wildcats have stayed in the moment and only worried about playing their best. The rest is out of their control.
Senior forward Emma Darling, committed to Amherst, has tallied a DCL-leading 21 goals in 11 matches.
“It’s not really even me, I don’t think. I think it’s really the team that’s behind me,” said Darling when asked about her scoring prowess.
She is complemented by senior attacking midfielders Sophia Simmons (9 goals, 5 assists), committed to Trinity, and Anika Groff (4 goals, 8 assists). Simmons, a captain, ranks second in the DCL in goals, and Groff is the league leader in assists.
“I think [Anika’s] creativity on the ball is just something that I’ve never seen before,” said Darling. “She knows where I’m going to run before I even know where I’m going to run.”
The senior trio has put up impressive numbers, but the full 11 has been key in retaining possession, getting numbers forward, and finding the right opportunities to create chances.
“They get their chances because we move the ball and everyone buys into that notion of moving the ball and being unselfish,” Power said. “It will find the right player at the right time.”
The Wildcats know their strength comes from keeping the ball on the ground, creating triangles, and finding the right opportunity to strike.
“I think this year we’re just clicking better as a team and as a whole, and the possession piece has been huge,” Simmons said.
The Wildcats also have the luxury of goalie Brady Jacobson, a senior captain committed to Bates, ready to clean up any mistakes.
Power was an assistant on the 2012 Weston team that won the Division 3 title. This year’s team, he said, is deeper and more talented.
“Like that 2012 team, it has experienced high-quality players and potential college-level players in most of the key positions down the spine,” he said.
The Wildcats have an opportunity to make a deep postseason run. However, a championship is not the main expectation, or goal.
“We just need to continue fostering that culture of safety and welcomeness and encouraging each other,” said Jacobson. “I think as long as we do that, results come with that.”
Corner kicks
▪ With 12 seniors — including four members of the 2021 Division 4 state champion side — Hamilton-Wenham is not hurting for leadership.
Senior captains Tessa Hunt, Annie Moynihan, Maddy Wood, and Sadie Gamber all experienced winning a state title. So when Hamilton-Wenham coach Nancy Waddell instructed the team to run sprints Monday, the group understood that’s what is required to reach the mountain top.
“They go out and they work hard,” said Waddell. “They ask a lot of their teammates, but they give all of themselves.”
The Generals play just one home game in October, thanks to competing on an overused grass field that hosts girls’ and boys’ soccer, football, and field hockey. Despite the plethora of road games, the Generals boast a 8-0-3 record and have outscored opponents 36-8.
Hunt, Moynihan, and junior midfielder Savannah Gauron have all notched their fair share of timely goals this season.
“We’re not a team of superstars,” said Waddell. “We play hard together. On any given day, someone can step up and be that superstar.”
▪ Thirteen EMass teams were still unbeaten entering play Wednesday. Top-ranked Natick (8-0-1), No. 2 Hopkinton (11-0-1), No. 3 Masconomet (11-0-1), No. 4 Norwell (12-0-0), No. 8 Winchester (10-0-1), No. 10 Acton-Boxborough (7-0-2), No. 12 Weston (10-0-1), and No. 18 North Reading (12-0-0) are the undefeated teams ranked in the Globe Top 20 poll.
Unranked, yet still undefeated, are Somerset Berkley (13-0-0), Hamilton-Wenham (8-0-3), Belmont (8-0-4), Notre Dame (Tyngsboro) (10-0-0), and Norfolk County Agricultural (11-0-1).
Games to watch
Friday, No. 15 Dover-Sherborn at No. 2 Hopkinton, 3:15 p.m. –– The scoring prowess of Dover-Sherborn’s Milla Lee (Boston University) will be tested in a Tri-Valley League matchup against a Hiller defense that has conceded just six goals in 12 matches.
Tuesday, No. 7 Wellesley at Newton North, 4:30 p.m. –– Featuring a prolific attack, the Raiders visit Bay State Conference Carey foe Newton North, victors of five straight matches.
Tuesday, Lynnfield at No. 18 North Reading, 6:30 p.m. –– Reigning Cape Ann League MVP Bella Carroll leads Lynnfield into a Cape Ann League clash against the unbeaten Hornets.
Tuesday, No. 20 Oliver Ames at No. 16 Mansfield, 7:15 p.m. –– After drawing 2-2 on Sept. 10, the Hockomock Davenport crown could hang in the balance when Aly Fernandes and the Hornets host Oliver Ames.
Wednesday, No. 6 King Philip at No. 9 Franklin, 3:45 p.m. –– Kelly O’Connor (Fairfield) led the Panthers to a 4-1 triumph on Sept. 10 in the first meeting between the teams. Dani Lomuscio (Stonehill) and King Philip will be focused on changing the result in the second meeting between the Hockomock League Kelley-Rex rivals.
Correspondent Cam Kerry contributed to this story.
Henry Dinh-Price can be reached at henry.dinh-price@globe.com.
