Warriors’ Goal: Get Past 2nd Round of Tourney

By Ken Hamwey
Staff Sports Writer

A first-time varsity coach has adjusted quickly to that role and it’s paying dividends for the King Philip girls lacrosse team.

Matt Custodio’s transition from Natick High assistant to head coach of the Warriors has been as smooth as silk. KP’s record at Local Town Pages deadline was 15-1, numbers that no doubt reflect the competitive philosophy of the 31-year-old coach.

“I focus on winning, our players reaching their potential and enjoying their athletic journey,’’ Custodio said. “Here’s what it all come down to — ‘are you being the best version of yourself?’ ’’

That question would easily get a “yes’’ from KP fans. The Warriors have qualified for the playoffs again and they may even achieve a lofty goal that Custodio put on his to-do list.

“The first goal we set after preseason practice was to do the little things well and play for the girl next to you,’’ Custodio said. “Our second objective (the lofty goal) was to avenge last year’s overtime loss to Franklin and capture the Hockomock League’s Kelly-Rex Division title. And our third goal was to top last year’s ranking (No. 15) and go deeper than the second round of the tourney.’’

Check the box on the first goal but beating Franklin and taking first in the division has yet to be determined because the KP-Franklin match was on tap after Local Town Pages deadline. As for surpassing last year’s ranking, that has not been determined yet but the Warriors were No. 10 after the last rating. Advancing past the second round of the tourney obviously is in a wait-and-see situation.

Last year, the Warriors, who were coached by Kourtnie Wilder, finished 14-6, were seeded at No. 15 and lost in the second round of the playoffs to Wellesley after defeating Brookline.

KP’s overall team strengths should be major assets in the post-season. And, Custodio likes what his players bring to the table.

“We’ve got experience,’’ he said. “Our squad is a junior-senior team that has great team chemistry. Our six seniors all will be playing college lacrosse next year. Other keys are our high lacrosse IQ, our depth, skills and athleticism. The players are also accountable, always trying to improve and learn.’’

KP’s captains — senior midfielders Makenzie McDevitt and Sierra King, personify many of the team’s strengths. McDevitt was the Warriors top scorer last year (63 goals, 15 assists for 78 points).

“Makenzie is the fastest player on the team,’’ Custodio said. “Her endurance is great, she’s outstanding in transition, passes well and makes her teammates better. She also gets all the ground balls. A captain who leads by example and by being vocal, she’ll play for Boston University next year.

“Sierra is an excellent defensive midfielder who’s the focal point of our defense. She’s the first to volunteer for whatever task she’s given. She’s willing to compromise and strives to improve. She’ll be playing at Stonehill next year.’’

Three senior attackers who’ll also play in college are Sammy Cloutier (Southern New Hampshire University), Emily Heslin (Westfield State) and Abigail MacDonald (Endicott).

“They‘ve got strength, speed and an instinctive nature,’’ Custodio emphasized. “They know how to get position and they’ve got a sixth sense of where their teammates will be. This is a trio that knows how to generate success.’’

KP’s defenders include juniors Katie McGann, Lauren Obara and Ashleigh Whitbread.

“These girls are the vocal leaders of the team,’’ Custodio said. “We’ll go as far as this group takes us. They mesh well, they’re tenacious when needed and their technical skills are good. They move fast, read the game effectively and rely on defensive communication.’’

Senior Kaitlyn Parish started in goal last year and had 150 saves, a goals-against average of 6.85 and a save percentage of 52. This season her numbers are a goals-against average of 5.5 and a save percentage of 60.

“Kaitlyn is fearless,’’ Custodio said. “She’s got a high lacrosse IQ and is excellent at calling out plays on defense. She’s does a good job of reading the game and she’s quick. She’s not afraid to battle for ground balls and she’s tough, able to box anyone out.’’

Custodio has assembled a top-notch group of assistant coaches. They include Meaghan Steck (jayvee coach), Kate Holmes (jayvee assistant), and varsity aides Cam Curley and Caroline Klim. “It’s an amazing staff that allows the coaches and players to be ourselves,’’ he said.

Custodio was an assistant coach for two years for Natick High’s girls lacrosse team, then moved over to the boys squad last season before taking the reins at KP. A 2011 graduate of Natick High, he played two years of jayvee lacrosse for the Redhawks. He later enrolled at Penn State University, majored in broadcast journalism and graduated in 2015.

“I worked for Natick Pegasus, the town’s public access cable station, for six years, and finished up as the station’s assistant sports producer,’’ he said. “Currently, I’m a computer science teacher in Natick and have been in the system for six years.’’

Custodio, who’s been married to his wife Lindsay for 1½ years, said he’s always wanted to coach at the varsity level. “I’ve always wanted my own program,’’ he noted. “And, I knew KP was looking for a head coach. I had two interviews and got the job in late February.’’

Adding Custodio to the Warriors’ coaching staff appears to be a solid move. When he talks about the life lessons he wants his players to learn from playing lacrosse, his words are very telling.

“I want the girls to learn how to overcome adversity and be resilient,’’ he emphasized. “They can also learn how to become top-notch leaders and quality teammates. And, two other keys are to learn to be goal-oriented and to be accountable.’’

The way the KP girls have played this season is an indication that they’ve learned those lessons well.