Three County Soccer Stars Earn All-State Recognition

Three Berkshire County student-athletes have earned All-State recognition for their performances on the soccer pitch this fall.

 

Drury senior Kayla McGrath and Mount Greylock senior Mackenzie Sheehy were named to the Class C All-State squad. Lenox senior Molly Knight was recognized in Class D.

 

Just 23 girls from Western Massachusetts made it on the four All-State teams.

 

Knight finished her high school career with five goals and 10 assists while solidifying the midfield and back line for a Lenox squad that won a Western Mass title in 2019 and advanced to the octo-finals of the 2021 Division 5 State Tournament.

 

"What makes Molly most special as a player is her commitment to the team on and off the field," Lenox coach Brian Seminara said. :She plays every minute of every game and is a general on the field in her organization and decision making capability. More impressively though is the amount of time she spends off the pitch. She trains year round and works with younger players to develop fitness regimes, always the first to practice and last to leave."

 

McGrath scored 29 goals this fall despite missing five games with an injury, helping the Blue Devils go 16-1-2, with the loss in the Division 5 State Tournament. Over her career, she amassed 102 points. As a junior last spring, she helped lead Drury to a Berkshire County South Division title.

 

"Kayla's strength and competitive drive are a true force to be reckoned with and she brings that fierce spirit to every practice and game," Drury coach Maria Bartini said. "While she is tough as nails on the pitch, she is a generous and supportive teammate, too. As a two-year captain, she set the tone for work ethic and effort and could often be seen giving advice to her younger teammates along with lots of rides to practices and games."

 

Sheehy anchored a Mount Greylock defense that was the key to the Mounties' 13-6-1 record and run to the Western Mass regional final.

 

Mount Greylock posted 10 shutout victories this fall and allowed just more than a goal per game over the course of its 20-game season.