By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

The Natick High girls soccer team is ready to achieve its fourth and final goal.

Before the 2021 campaign began, coach Dave Wainwright listed four objectives for his squad — build team chemistry, build confidence as the season progresses, compete for the Carey Division championship and advance as deep as possible in the State tourney.

So far, three of the four goals have been achieved and the fourth (the tourney advance) is next up for the Redhawks.

                     Dave Wainwright is in his fourth year as Natick High’s girls soccer coach. 

“We’re confident in our ability to excel in the playoffs,’’ Wainwright said. 

At Local Town Pages deadline, Natick had a 7-0-2 record and was in position to clinch  the division crown. The Redhawks have experienced success this season because of a variety of strengths. “We’ve got experience in key places, our depth is getting stronger and our soccer IQs are high,’’ Wainwright said. “Our players are talented and skilled, and we’re athletic and competitive. Speed and quickness are also key ingredients.’’ 

If any coach can guide a team to a deep tourney run, it’s the 51-year-old Wainwright. Now in his fourth season at Natick, he led the Redhawks to the State final in his first year in 2018. Unfortunately, Natick bowed to Wachusett on penalty kicks. In 2011, however, he and his Dover-Sherborn girls team won the States, and his boys lacrosse squad at Needham High rolled to a State crown in 2003.

A coach who knows a thing or two about leadership, Wainwright’s trio of senior captains reflect his managerial style and have been key cogs in Natick’s outstanding season. The captains are Allison Jeter (goalie), Kyra Hacker (defender), and Briar Grady (midfielder). 

“All three captains are motivators, they’re organized and passionate about soccer,’’ Wainwright emphasized. “They’re all four-year starters and they lead by example and by being vocal and supportive.’’

Wainwright calls Jeter “the total package’’ in goal. “Allison is instinctive, has great field vision and she’s quick,’’ he said. “A Bay State Conference all-star last year, she’s adept at taking away our opponents’ offensive attack.’’

Wainwright is also bullish on Hacker, who also was an all-star last year. “Kyra is a true field general,’’ he said. “She’s tenacious on defense and a force in keeping us calm. A composed competitor, her anticipation is a huge asset.’’

Called “the nucleus’’ by her coach, Grady gets high marks as a midfielder. “Briar makes other players better and she’s great in transition,’’ Wainwright noted. “Extremely athletic, Briar has incredible endurance and she’s a good passer who can also score. She’s one of our toughest players.’’

Three junior forwards who can generate offense have been top-notch contributors. They include Zoe Graves, Eliza Campana, and Emma Grant.

“Zoe is one of our better post-up players,’’ Wainwright said. “She displays great leverage in eluding defenders. Eliza is tenacious, our most offensive player. She runs off the ball and finds ways to get open. Emma’s speed and quickness are major strengths. She hustles all the time and her work ethic is exceptional.’’

Two seniors lauded by Wainwright are midfielder Mikayla Henderson and defender Abby Beigel.

“Mikayla is one of our most experienced players,’’ he emphasized. “She’s versatile, also able to compete at forward. Very competitive and athletic, she’s effective on throw-ins because of her strong arms and she’s solid in transition. Abby is our wall on defense. A great one-on-one defender, her header play makes her very strong in the air.’’

Two freshmen — defender-midfielder Cassidy Moriarty and forward Megan Mela — have earned playing time.

“Cassidy is confident, versatile and athletic,’’ Wainwright said. “She learns quickly, has great field vision and relies on speed and quickness. Megan is one of our most improved players. She’s a constant offensive threat, she can distribute the ball, and her field awareness is excellent.’’

Wainwright relies on an athletic philosophy that focuses on making sure his players reach their potential and enjoy playing their sport. 

“If those things occur, then winning will follow,’’ he noted. “As for life lessons that can be learned though athletics, my motto is ‘expect nothing, earn everything.’ That means paying the price for success, overcoming adversity, being resilient and also mentally tough.’’

Winning the Carey Division seems like it’s just around the corner but Wainwright is acutely aware that Brookline and Wellesley are still in the mix. “Brookline is experienced, traditionally strong and just a high caliber squad,’’ he offered. Wellesley has a new coach but they’re always are an impactful team.’’

Wainwright, a three-time Boston Globe coach of year, keeps Natick’s opponents guessing on what mode of attack he’ll employ from day to day and game to game. “We can be an up-tempo team or a possession-oriented group,’’ he said. “We’re balanced but whatever we’re faced with we can adapt and overcome.’’

Natick certainly adapted after starting this season with a 2-0-2 record. The Redhawks were unbeaten but Wainwright was by no means pleased. “No, I wasn’t pleased but I was satisfied,’’ he admitted. “We played Newton North to a scoreless tie and later tied Dedham, 1-1. Those were missed opportunities. Our defense did well enough to stop both teams but we couldn’t hit our targets on offense.’’

During Wainwright’s three previous seasons at Natick, his first team finished as a State final runner-up in 2018 and his second campaign in 2019 ended in a loss to Bishop Feehan in the Sectional semifinals. Last year’s squad finished with a 6-0-3 record but there was no tourney because of the covid-19 pandemic.

The 2018 State runner-up finish is the Redhawks deepest playoff run. No Natick High girls soccer team has ever won a State title in the program’s history.

A State crown later this month would be dynamic for the Redhawks. It would also be a testament to a squad that’s displayed plenty of desire, devotion and dedication.