Thea Jackson and Sara Nencka each scored 2 goals as the Mt. Hope girls soccer team blanked Lincoln 4-0 in a Division I home game on Monday night. The win evens the Huskies record at 1-1 as the young Huskies look to get back to the championship after losing to Cumberland 3-1 in the finals last season.

“My goal is to always be the best and get back to the state finals,” said Huskies head coach Kerri Giarusso. “I am always looking for max effort. But again, taking one game at a time and trying to reach our goals and get better as the season goes on.”

With two dynamic goal scorers in Jackson and Nencka, Coach Giarrusso began to insert a 3-5-2 style of play with a double nine up top. That's two strikers for those not up on soccer lingo. The speedy Jackson, a junior, has developed into a prolific goal scorer. She netted 19 goals and 2 assists as a sophomore last season and scored 19 more goals and 5 assists as a freshman. Nencka, a tall athletic sophomore, scored 9 goals and 5 assists last season as a freshman. She has all of the tools become a top scorer in the league as well.

“We have some offensive threats,” Coach Giarrusso said. “Thea is a two-time all-state striker. She and Sara make a dynamic duo, pretty much. They worked together well last season. We try to get the ball forward so they can be creative, work together and work their magic.”

Moran back in goal for senior season

Back for her senior season in goal is Emily Moran, who made 9 saves during the shutout on Monday. Moran, who stars for the basketball team, is a top five goalkeeper with a good wing span which helps her to block shots and get to balls that other keeper’s can’t get to.

“Emily is definitely focused and ready to lead this team during her senior season,” Coach Giarrusso said.

New captains for the Huskies

Moran, Jackson, senior midfielder Liliana Redman and junior midfielder Maddie Butterworth are the Huskies captains this season.

Redmond and Butterworth give the Huskies a strong unit through the middle. Butterworth plays the ten, an attacking midfielder. 

“She's done a phenomenal job,” Coach Giarrusso said.

Kendra Ascoli plays holding midfielder and  Freshmen Catherine Frawley and sophomore Mekayla Neves rotate in at midfield.

Sophomore all-state defender Emily Goglia will play in front of Moran with fellow sophomores Elise Lanoie and Aubrey Cummings.

“Emma is a lock down defender, who is always ready to mark and shut down opposing team’s best attacking players,” she said.

Also making Coach Giarrusso’s squad are, track star Lola Silva, Sage DelPonte, Scarlett Jackson, Miley Boucher, Vivienne Noonan, Thalia Adkins and Moira Ware.

“Every girl on this team plays an important role,” Coach Giarrusso said. “Whether you are a starter or coming off the bench, everyone plays a huge piece for the team to be successful. We always talk about effort and keeping a positive attitude, so when things aren't going our way, we are able to bounce back and move forward.”

Next Up: Mt. Hope travels to Barrington on Wednesday, and East Greenwich on Friday.