New playoff format a challenge for Newton South girls soccer

Soccer is returning to normal this fall when it comes to the rules. But once the regular season ends, things will change.

In the Dual County League, the DCL Cup is back after being implemented last year because there was no post-season tournament due to COVID-19. But playoffs are back - as are throw-ins and headers - though the Cup will remain for now. 

The Newton South girls won the inaugural DCL Cup a year ago as part of a 9-2-1 season. With a new format for the postseason as well as the Cup looming, there is plenty of high-level play to prepare for in October.

“That may make it harder on us," said Newton South girls soccer coach Doug McCarthy. "We’re going to be playing some extremely competitive games in that DCL Cup just before the state tournament. Hopefully the teams in the DCL don’t burn themselves out.” 

South has captured the DCL championship four out of the last five years, and over that time have complied a record of 73-11-9, the third-best record among Division 1 teams across the state, according to McCarthy. 

The Lions lost five seniors, including All-State/EMass/DCL All-Star keeper Olivia Dubin, who is now starting at Holy Cross; EMass/DCL All-Star Lottie McLeod, now playing at WPI; and DCL All-Star Grace Penna, now playing at Union.

“Nobody’s feeling sorry for us because we lost five starting seniors," said McCarthy, starting his 23rd season. "Our girls have worked really hard to maintain our tradition over the past 10 or 15 years. They take it as a challenge; they know when we line up against teams on the large side of the DCL – you'd be hard-pressed to find a group of five stronger teams in Eastern Mass.” 

Captaining this year's team are Tess Ertel, Franki Toro and Izzy Lanzillo. Ertel is part of a young but talented defense, along with junior Amelia Everett (the reigning state outdoor track mile champion), as well as sophomores Nadia Mustafa and Hailey Smith. 

Maddy Genser, a First Team DCL All-Star in 2020, has made the transition from defender to central midfield.

"She’s a hard-working and dedicated player with outstanding skill and a strong engine," McCarthy said. 

Junior Bria Abbiati, whom McCarthy calls "high-octane" and "relentless," returns as an All-State/EMass/DCL All-Star. 

"Bria is among the top players in the area, and her versatility gives us the option to move her between our midfield and striker positions seamlessly," the coach added. 

Junior Luka Marceau is primed to play a big role in South’s offense, according to McCarthy, along with sophomore Maddie Lewis. 

Sienna Masood, a sophomore and a DCL All-Star after playing nearly every minute last season as an outside defender, will also move to midfield. 

Starting in goal will be sophomore Amanda Cosgrove, who worked with Dubin throughout last season. 

"Amanda is an athletic keeper who is technically sound and ready to take on the role as starter," McCarthy said. 

The goal for the Lions at the outset of the season is to mesh newcomers with veterans.

“Our main objective is to rebuild that group and start to put a cohesive defensive system together," McCarthy said. "We're hoping to have a strong midfield and therefore to be able to give our new group in the defending third some time to play together. We’re getting there.” 

Come playoff time, a new format will be unveiled. There are no more sectional tournaments and seedings are no longer based on winning percentage but on power rankings.

“It’s going to be kind of a complicated formula this first time around,” McCarthy said. “They’re trying to give it more of a statewide appeal. There are fewer teams in the Central and West – it's easier for them to qualify. They’re tying to balance that out. It’s going to be a learning process for all of us this season.” 

In order to boost its power ranking, South, like many schools, has attempted to schedule non-league matches against high-level opponents. Outside of the DCL, the Lions will face Weymouth (13-4-4 in 2019), Andover (14-4-3, North Division finalist) and Needham (12-6-3).  

South scrimmaged Needham on Labor Day.

“It's a matter at this point of getting these players who are new to working together, to communicate; they’ve got the skill, they’ve got the talent," McCarthy said. "They just need to learn how to work together.” 

Follow Tim Dumas on Twitter: @TimDumas