October 1, 2020 - Story and Photos by Joshua Ross
Anchor Sports will be running Hingham High School Fall Sports Previews for each team. No one is happier than we are to finally have sports back on the fields, courts, tracks, and water. Although there are tight restrictions with regards to spectators, we are committed to bring you as much coverage as we can throughout this season. The stories will feature interviews with coaches, team captains, and a few athletes to watch out for this fall. We continue our series with the Girls Soccer team, with a special introduction of their new Head Coach, Sarah Dacey.
Sarah Dacey - Head Coach
Anchor Sports (AS): What made you decide to come to Hingham to coach?
Sarah Dacey (SD): Obviously I knew Hingham was a great town, great community, and had a very strong soccer tradition with successful teams. I am originally from Massachusetts and ever since having our daughter Sadie (2 years old) we have been wanting to move back to MA to raise her closer to family and close friends. When I heard Hingham HS soccer job was open, I knew it would be a perfect opportunity to change my career trajectory a bit and know that I was going to still be coaching a good, talented team.
AS: Where did you previously coach?
SD: I was the previous Head Coach at Barry University- Division 2 school in Miami, FL for the past five years. My team was two-time Sunshine State Conference Champions ( 2018 and 2019) and I was named Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year for 2018 and 2019. I have many years in coaching at the collegiate level previously as multiple Division 1 assistants, and I was also the Head Coach at Babson College (Div 3) from 2005-2010. I played at the University of North Carolina where my team won three National Championships. I also played lacrosse at Carolina.
AS: What do you hope to bring to Hingham?
SD: I hope to bring to Hingham my knowledge and experience in playing and coaching at a high-level. Being a strong female, I want to be a role model and to make sure the players throughout the program have a positive experience and continue a winning tradition.
AS: Soccer has some of the most obvious modifications for play this season. How do you think that will impact play?
SD: I think the modifications will be challenging at times but every team will be affected and will all have to adjust. Each game will be different based on the officials interpretations of the rules. At the end of the day, we are staying positive and have a clear understanding of how fortunate we are to be playing this fall, and we appreciate the opportunity to be together to compete.
AS: What are your expectations for this season?
SD: There are always high expectations because it is Hingham High School, but I think we are going to take it one game at a time and continue to get stronger, better, and closer as a team as the season goes along. If we do things the right way and have multiple players contribute, I feel strongly we will have success.
AS: Who are some of the players we should keep an eye on this season?
SD: Kate Dalamonte will be anchoring the backline as a senior, and we have multiple attacking personalities in Ava Maguire, Olivia Sharkansky, Sophie Reale, Claire Murray and Alexa Varholak is a leader for us in the midfield.
AS: Are there any records or milestones we should be aware of this season?
SD: I am not aware of any milestones but we are excited to compete and start a new era in Hingham girls soccer.
Kate Dalimonte - Senior Captain
Grade: 12
Years on Hingham Soccer Team: 4
Favorite Subject: Biology
AS: What does it mean to be selected as a captain?
Kate Dalimonte: To be selected as a captain it means to show great leadership and to be a good role model for the rest of the program.
AS: What are your expectations for this season?
KD: To win the Patriot Cup!
AS: What's your favorite memory or personal achievement from being on the team?
KD: My favorite memory from being on the team was my sophomore year when we beat Whitman Hanson to go to the semi-finals of the tournament.
AS: How do you think the new modifications will affect play this year?
KD: I think it will be challenging at first but we are just grateful to be on the field.
AS: Do you plan on playing in college?
KD: Yes, I plan on playing at Denison University
Alexa Varholak - Junior Captain
Grade: 11
Years on Hingham Soccer Team: 3
Favorite Subject: Math
AS: What does it mean to be selected as a captain?
Alexa Varholak: It really means a lot to be a captain this year. I truly love this team and I have so much respect for all of my teammates. I am so thankful that they chose me to fill this role as a leader.
AS: What are your expectations for this season?
AV: This season, we hope to do our best in league play and win the Patriot Cup! We have a super talented group and I have high hopes for this year.
AS: What's your favorite memory or personal achievement from being on the team?
AV: My favorite moment was at the end of my freshman season, when we beat Whitman-Hanson in the playoffs. Lilly Reale scored an amazing goal in the final few minutes, and we all were so excited. After tying them twice during the regular season and losing to them in the playoffs the previous year, that win felt extra special to all of us.
AS: How do you think the new modifications will affect play this year?
AV: Although the modifications do affect play, I am just so thankful to be out on the field. It is definitely going to be difficult to get used to a new set of rules, but we are all working hard to be mindful of following them. Again, we’re just so happy to be playing.
AS: Do you plan on playing in college?
AV: I would love to play soccer in college and I work towards that goal everyday. With all of the setbacks, recruiting has been put off a bit. I hope that in the next year I be able to commit to play at a school!
Ava Maguire - Junior Captain
Grade: 11
Years on Hingham Soccer Team: 3
Favorite Subject: Spanish
AS: What does it mean to be selected as a captain?
Ava Maguire: It was very humbling to be picked as a junior captain and I just want to bring a lot of positivity and enthusiasm because soccer has been such an important part of my life and it’s what I love to do most.
AS: What are your expectations for this season?
AM: I think we all want some part of normalcy and the camaraderie of being on a team and doing what you love. And although this won’t be a normal season, I am grateful we are going to get to play. Coach Dacey has been amazing as far as working us really hard but creating this positive environment as well. The modifications to the game (like all of the yellow cards) will take some getting used to but we can adjust.
AS: What's your favorite memory or personal achievement from being on the team?
AM: I have had a lot of amazing memories but my favorite would have to be the first scrimmage I got to play on varsity as a freshman with my older sister. She was a senior captain and I assisted her goal. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to play the rest of the season together because she tore her ACL the next game.
AS: How do you think the new modifications will affect play this year?
AM: I think the modifications will slow down the game and it will be difficult to get used to the new rules. That said, getting back into the routine of practicing and playing in scrimmages has been great and I am excited for the upcoming season!
AS: Do you plan on playing in college?
AM: My goal is to play in college for sure; I think competing is in my family’s blood having an older sister playing soccer in college and an older brother committed to play lacrosse in college. Covid has delayed some of my recruiting process but I’m excited to continue playing beyond high school.
Alex Higgins - Junior Captain
Grade: 11
Years on Hingham Soccer Team: 3
Favorite Subject: History
AS: What does it mean to be selected as a captain?
Alex Higgins: It is an honor. I idolized the Hingham Girls Soccer team when I was younger and dreamed of the day I would be able to play on the team, being named captain makes it that much more special.
AS: What are your expectations for this season?
AH: For the team to take advantage of the opportunity that we have been given to play, and look to win the Patriot Cup.
AS: What's your favorite memory or personal achievement from being on the team?
AH: Beating Whitman-Hanson in the state tournament my freshmen year.
AS: How do you think the new modifications will affect play this year?
AH: It will definitely change the style of play, but the better we adapt, the better we will be. The modifications will make us work harder and in the end I think it will help us grow as both individual soccer players and as a team.
AS: Do you plan on playing in college?
AH: It is definitely something I am interested in and looking to pursue.
Olivia Sharkansky - Junior
Grade: 11
Years on Hingham Soccer Team: 3
Favorite Subject: History
AS: What are your expectations for this season?
Olivia Sharkansky: I am so excited to get the season underway as there is so much talent and enthusiasm on our team. Coach Dacey has already brought so much positive energy, great coaching and support to the team.
AS: What's your favorite memory or personal achievement from being on the team?
OS: My favorite moments of playing on this team were beating Whitman-Hanson in the second round of the state tournament my freshman year and scoring two goals during our homecoming game last year.
AS: Do you plan on playing in college?
OS:Yes I do plan to play college soccer and will be making the decisions on where over the next few months.
Sophie Reale - Sophomore
Grade: 10
Years on Hingham Soccer Team: 1, played in Development Academy for club team last year.
Favorite Subject: Math
AS: What are your expectations for this season?
Sophie Reale: I hope that as a team we can learn to play through any obstacles that get in our way (like Covid) and overcome adversity. I think this year especially will allow us to think outside the box as players because we really have no choice with all of the guidelines that have been put in front of us.
AS: What's your favorite memory or personal achievement from being on the team?
SR: This is my first year on the high school team but so far I have enjoyed getting to know all of the returning players as well as the new ones. We are having fun just preparing for the season together.
AS: Do you plan on playing in college?
SR: I plan on playing college soccer. I have verbally committed to Boston College.
Great article! Good luck girls-hoping to see you play! Congrats on your strong start❤️😊