The Braintree High Girls’ Soccer team doesn’t look too great with a record of 2-9-2. However, looking at each game, most of them hold a less than 2 goal difference. The defense from the Wamps is shown strong, but for the win, they tend to fall short. Keeping them in the game is their effort on defense. Especially from their senior goalie and captain, Jackie McGonigle.
“The strength of our team doesn’t show through our record, we play strong teams and we do the best we can”, McGonigle says. In the MIAA Girls Soccer Power Rankings, Braintree is placed at a surprising 20th. 2-9-2 doesn’t look good, but with an opponent ranking of 2.8, they are constantly being challenged. To make tournament, they must place 32nd or higher in their D1 division. With the regular season coming to an end next week, it seems likely that Jackie McGonigle will help lead the team to the postseason once again.
“I’m looking forward to winning another tournament game. It was really fun last year even though it was just a play-in game, but we’re hoping to make it further and get more wins”
Last season, the team had a 500 record. They were not in the top 32, but they had an equal number of wins and losses. With this, they were given the chance to be in the first round of the tournament. They played another 500 record team and beat them. The team then lost the first-round, ending the 2022 season.
Jackie McGonigle has been on the team since her freshman year. Ever since, there has been a large improvement in confidence on the field and off.
“Freshman year on the team, I was really quiet. I tried to stay out of everyone’s way, but still did the best I could to try to fit into the team.”
It was hard for McGonigle to be a freshman on varsity. She struggled with the pressure of not only the varsity skill level, but also being with the upperclassmen.
“I looked up to the seniors on how to act and how not to act.” Now a senior herself, McGonigle treats the underclassmen the way she was treated then. “I try to be there for the younger kids and set a good example for them to follow, like those past seniors were to me”.
The Wamps this season have 22 goals scored and 24 goals scored against them. It’s always a competitive game for them. That may not seem impressive, but McGonigle has 3 shutouts this season so far. Last season she ended with 7 and her first year she ended with 2. It’s clear she was always an essential part to the team.
Jackie McGonigle became the starting goalie her sophomore year. She became captain this season, along with Chloe McGinty, Ella Bougner, and Emma Vanderslice. There is no doubt from anyone that she doesn’t have the skill sets to lead.
“She’s a great player and a great person, able to advocate for herself and others” Co-captain Ella Bougner says.
Even when times get tough for the Wamps, McGonigle doesn’t lose control. She does her best to push the team, despite resistance.
“There is a thin line between being some of the underclassmen’s friend and being able to tell them when they need to stay focused”. McGonigle explains.
Although McGonigle strives to create bonds off the field, when it comes to the game she is just as driven to win.
“On the field, Jackie always motivates us to try our hardest and is always determined to win” other co-captain, Chloe McGinty says, “Off the field Jackie is a super kind friend to all of us and makes everyone feel included”.
McGonigle’s leadership is not just seen on the field, but also on the ice. Jackie McGonigle has recently been announced captain, along with Callie Burchill, for Braintree’s Varsity Girls Ice Hockey. Although chosen by last season’s captains, Molly Witham, Meghan Ceriani, Kelsie Littlewood, and Ella Woods, head coach, Kevin Burchill, is not surprised.
“I think last year’s captains got it right.” Burchill says, “The Seniors chose Jackie because of her unselfishness. When Eva [Surrette] went down with [an] injury, Jackie immediately volunteered to play goalie. She put the need of the team first. She never complained and competed very hard as a goalie. Very similar to her play as a forward”
When McGonigle was asked last winter to take Eva Surrette’s position, the Wamps starting goalie the past two years, it was a shock.
“My hockey coach thought I’d be the next best person for this position because I play soccer goalie. It was very very different. It was not the same at all. I didn’t quite like it, but I was glad to step up for the team.”
Playing goalie for almost 3 weeks. McGonigle was able to keep the team afloat. Jackie McGonigle steps up when she needs to. Both in and out of the games. Jackie McGonigle is a great player and even better captain.
