A New and Improved MXGVS

image by: Hans Yu '28

After a well earned summer break, Middlesex is back in session with fall sports coming out swinging. The girls’ varsity soccer team in particular is looking to clinch a successful season this year after a difficult transition season last year. Last season, the team familiarized themselves with the new coaches, Coach Katie Andjus and Assistant Coach Brian Powers, and are now seeking to become a dominating presence in the ISL. MXGVS has also acquired three additional coaches, including Assistant Coach Ally, former captain of the women’s soccer team at Colgate, and Goalkeeper Coach Jessie.

MXGVS captains all express their excitement about this upcoming season and their hope to qualify for the tournament this year, highlighting the exceptional team comradery, chemistry, and communication they’ve seen already in the first week of the season. Herd leader and MXGVS captain Stella Mourtzimos acknowledges that a big aspect of improving the team this year is increasing the positive communication among teammates, as it “will lead to more scoring opportunities and better possession.” Coming off a difficult injury the past season, school co-president and captain Avery Green is especially excited to return to the field. She expresses her eagerness for the small team of 18, as it will be a “very supportive, tight-knit group.” Additionally, Captain Phoebe Seidman is excited to “watch the team grow both on and off the field” in her fourth and final year playing on Chapel Field.

This year MXGVS welcomed four new freshmen recruits to the team: Lila Czerepak, Bridget O’Connor, Mulungi Kalisa, and Bella Gordon. Lila has played soccer since she was three years old, playing for Winchester town soccer for nine years, FC Stars for seven years, and is currently playing for FC Stars ECNL White 2011. Bridget currently plays for the FC Stars 2010 Blue ECNL RL team and was a critical player on the Bedford High School team as a freshman last year. She was also recently recognized for the U15 ECNL RL 2024–2025 All-Regional League. Mulungi, younger sister of Herd leader and MXBVS captain Baze Kalisa, played on the Concord Carlisle town team for six years, NEFC for two years, and continues to play for the Boston Bolts for her fourth year. Last but not least, Bella played soccer for four years at New York Soccer Club before becoming a goalkeeper and moving to Massachusetts to play on SFC Elite. All four of these talented freshmen look forward to game days, team psychs, and traditions, and each will play a significant role in the success of MXGVS this season.

The biggest game of the year will be on Friday, September 26th against Milton Academy at 6pm. This will be MXGVS’s annual Under the Lights game as well as their Kicks for Cancer game. With their last year’s Under the Lights game being canceled due to Triple E, MXGVS is more than excited to play under the glaring lights at night backed by the support and passion of the Herd this year.

MXGVS’s season begins in the first game, at home on Chapel Field, against Dexter on September 10th. With new coaching staff, eager captains, excited returners, and fresh new talent, MXGVS seems on their way to a successful season this fall.

Michelle Cai ‘27