by Ben Warnick, Assistant Athletics Director
Ashley Andrade did not play soccer her first year at Massasoit. In fact, the only position she played in high school was goalie.
That all changed this year when she was asked to join the Massasoit women's soccer team.
The Randolph native had starred on both the Massasoit women's basketball and softball teams as a freshman, earning spots on the All-Region teams in each respected sport.
While looking for additional players this past August, head coach Ruben Teixeria reached out to Andrade with the help of newcomer Stephanie Goddard hoping her athletic talents could translate on the soccer field.
"Ashley is a close friend of teammate Stephanie Goddard. They played together at Randolph High School, and that is the connection we made for Ashley to join the team," Teixeira said. "I was very impressed with Ashley's skill set and she is a tremendous athlete. She has helped us out big time on the defensive end. She is very fast and keeps up with a lot of forwards we play against and is someone I can trust in the back row."
Andrade, who hit over .300 for the softball team and averaged in double figures on the hardwood last year, has started nine games and played in 11, primarily on defense for the Warriors.
"In high school I only played goalie, so I was a little hesitant about playing," Andrade said. "But I made a deal with my friend Stephanie (Goddard) that if I played soccer, she would play basketball this season."
Her physical play in the back row has been a key reason why the Warriors have posted five shutouts and are heading to the Region XXI Tournament finals on Saturday against Holyoke CC.
"I really like the friendships I've made with my teammates," Andrade said. "It was definitely the right decision to play soccer and I've really enjoyed playing and competing with the other girls."
Andrade helped the Lady Warriors capture a Regional Championship last year in softball…hopefully she can do the same this Saturday on the soccer field.