With 18 goals and eight assists in 10 games, reigning Hockomock League MVP Davenport is the league’s leading scorer. A commitment from St. Croix, she has career totals of 59 goals and 29 assists.
“She is the centerpiece of our team,” said Foxborough coach Katie Stalcup. “She can take over a game with her skills and abilities. The other teams arrive with a plan to take him away, but it never seems to work.
A back-pick from New England, McCabe is often teamed up with two or three teams by opponents in an attempt to control her around the net. While McCabe can dominate with the ball at her feet, she also excels at distributing quickly to teammates as they find themselves open as defenders migrate to McCabe in midfield. She spends most of her time in midfield, but has got minutes up front this year as her coaches at Holy Cross want her to play up front.
“It’s like I basically have my hand held in every game [by the defenders]”said McCabe.
His mark on the program extends beyond his individual accomplishments. Two-time winner of the Hockomock League Underclassman Award, McCabe displayed a reserved demeanor, letting her play on the field as the Warriors won back-to-back Davenport League titles in 2018 and 2019.
After 10 seniors graduated in 2020, McCabe was named captain. She had a voice. She leads by creating a pleasant environment, displaying a love for the game, and supporting her teammates with positive reinforcement, as well as hosting pasta parties, team sleepovers, and ridesharing.
“I play the game because I like it,” said McCabe. “I don’t go there and don’t think I’m the best. I don’t want to put pressure on myself by thinking about records or scoring achievements or anything like that. I love to play soccer and that’s what I want to do.
Mike mccabe, who coached soccer for 15 years, supervised her daughter’s soccer training until she was in seventh grade, while also coaching her older sister Molly, a sophomore who now plays at Fitchburg State. Her father fondly remembers taking Kailee to Hockomock YMCA for an introduction to kindergarten football class when she was 5, sporting a pink cast from a broken left hand that extended to ‘at his elbow.
“It was as if she had been shot down by a cannon,” he said. “It was amazing. All she wanted was to get the ball back and score goals.
Kailee has maintained that same insatiable competitiveness. Starting mid-center as a freshman, she was always two steps ahead, read the play before it happened, and quickly made a decision on what to do with the ball. A 4.0 student, Kailee’s knowledge of the game combined with her athleticism, strength and technique make her a nightmare for all opponents.
“I knew right away she was special,” Staclup said. “It’s almost like she doesn’t know how good she is until she starts winning these awards. I could put her anywhere and she would dominate.
Corner kicks
▪ Since 2015, Stoneham and Wilmington have raised over $ 25,000 for the Hope and Friendship Metastatic Breast Cancer Foundation through the Kick Cancer game held twice a year. The first of the teams’ two meetings took place on Sunday, with a 1-1 draw.
“It’s always a close game because it’s so special,” Stoneham coach Sharon chapman noted. “It does us good to be able to support a local cause.
Stoneham and Wilmington began playing the game for charity in 2013, donating the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation before Chapman read the Hope and Friendship Metastatic Breast Cancer Foundation in a local newspaper. From there, she connected with the founder of Hope and Friendship Heather LoRe, who has worked closely with the teams over the past six years in their fundraising efforts.
LoRe has been present at every Kick Cancer match since 2015 to speak to the teams.
“When she comes to the game, she talks to them about what the organization is, what it is about, what she does, what she does with the money raised and the importance for young women to support women’s causes. ” Chapman said.
▪ Top ranked Plymouth North is unbeaten with top notch performances in both attack and back row. Senior Carly Schofield, a four-year-old starter for the Eagles, leads the Patriot League in points with 22 (21 goals, 1 assist).
‘Carly is definitely stretching the other team,’ Plymouth North coach Eric Foley noted. “And, you know, we know she’s going to go through it a few times, and getting numbers around her to back her up is kind of what we’re working on right now.”
At the back, senior goalkeeper Kylee Carafoli leads the league, allowing just three goals against in eight games, good for an average of 0.375 goals against.
“Having Kylee there, where she’s so stable and reliable, it kind of allows us to do some things in terms of defining offense and really pressing pressure as a team,” Foley said.
Games to watch
Wednesday, Franklin at King Philip’s, 3:30 p.m. – At 6-1-2, Franklin is on the cusp of the top 20, while No.7 King Philip looks to bounce back from a loss to Oliver Ames. At stake, the first place of the Hockmock Kelley-Rex.
Thursday, Danvers at Masconomet, 4 p.m. – The place at the top of the Northeast Conference is up for grabs, and the No.4 Falcons will look to retain exclusive possession as they face the No.12 Masconomet.
Friday, Bishop Feehan at Foxborough, 3:30 p.m. – After a mind-blowing loss to Bishop Fenwick on Friday, the No.2 Shamrocks face another major test, this time outside of the conference. The No.10 Warriors are on a nine-game unbeaten streak, dating back to a season opener loss to King Philip.
Saturday, Plymouth North at Hingham, 1 p.m. – The No.1 Eagles came in first place this week and have yet to win by less than two goals, but No.3 Hingham will look to change that in an undefeated team battle.
Tuesday, Wellesley at Needham, 3:45 p.m. – The No.19 Raiders are riding a six-game straight streak and Needham currently sits atop the Bay State Herget Division.
Correspondent Emma Healy also contributed to this story.
Cam Kerry can be contacted at [email protected]
