Strong defense helped reigning D3 champs to unbeaten start

By Chris Villani

After rolling to a Division III state title and its third straight Central Mass. championship a season ago, the Nipmuc girls’ soccer team picked right up where it left off and posted an undefeated record through the first seven games of the year.

With 11 seniors on the roster, the most head coach Steve Khoury has ever had, Nipmuc is well-positioned for a title defense, even if it isn’t at the top of the coach’s mind.

“I feel like we have a strong team, but we don’t really talk about the tournament,” Khoury said. “We just try to improve and worry about the game ahead of us.”

Khoury noted that a lot of things go into a title run, including having luck and being able to weather the pressure of a single-elimination format. But Nipmuc has numerous players in significant roles this year who experienced and succeeded in that gauntlet in 2024.

Senior midfielders Anya Montano and Ella Vanasse are captains this year, along with senior outside backs Emma Watts and Riley Restic. 

Senior midfielder Kenzie Ellis, center back Lyla Hill, sophomore Cate Tengler, and freshman Finley Flynn are among the other key contributors for the team this fall.

Before the state tournament even rolls around, Nipmuc has another specific objective that it hopes to accomplish. 

“Our main goal is to win the conference,” Khoury said, referring to the brand-new Central Mass. Athletic Conference, which includes strong programs like Sutton, Douglas, Auburn, and Tantasqua. “It’s a new conference for us, and winning it would be great.”

Team defense has been a strength all season, Khoury said, and Nipmuc has been adept on the counterattack and at possessing the ball for lengthy periods. The coach said he is looking for his team to get a little bit sharper on offense, especially when it comes to finishing off possessions and finding the back of the net.

“Our finishing is a little bit off,” he said. “But I know we will improve.”

And having so many experienced players who are used to playing in this system makes fast improvement all the more likely.

“They know what I want,” Khoury said. “I have been with them and most of the girls have been with me for three years. They work hard at practice, and the older girls help out with the younger girls on the team. They are definitely a big help.”