By Ken Hamwey

Staff Sports Writer

Gary Pichel rarely uses the R-word when assessing how his King Philip girls soccer team will fare from season to season.

But, the Warriors coach, who’s now in his 15th year at the helm, says without any hesitation that the 2025 season “will be a rebuilding year.’’ The traditionally strong program finished 18-3 last year and advanced to the Division 1 state tourney. But, 10 seniors graduated and four of them were captains who now are competing for top-notch college teams. Of the 14 returnees, only four started last year.

“We’re rebuilding but our goals will still include contending for the Hockomock League’s Kelly-Rex Division championship,’’ Pichel offered. “If we improve our skills, that’s a realistic objective. Our other goals are to qualify for the playoffs and go as deep as possible.’’

KP will no doubt miss the leadership and talent that last year’s captains displayed — striker Dani Lomuscio, forward Mikayla Thompson, and defenders Addison Lamothe-Vaughn and Rhianna Mason. 

Lomuscio, who’s now playing at Division 1 Stonehill, was the league MVP last year, an All-American and an Eastern Mass. all-star. She also was the Hockomock League’s leading scorer with 27 goals and 22 assists (49 points). Thompson and Lamothe-Vaughan are competing for Division 1 Iona and Mason plays at Virginia Wesleyan, a Division 3 university.

“That quartet was one of the best group of captains I’ve ever had,’’ Pichel said. “And, Dani is one of the top five most versatile and talented players I’ve ever coached.’’

Although the current edition of the Warriors lacks experience and depth, it still has strengths, which include athleticism, a coachable nature, a team-first attitude and a willingness to achieve.

Four of the five girls who comprise the Warriors’ nucleus are captains — seniors Lauren Obara (goalie) and Ella Lussier (midfielder), and juniors Ella McDonald (striker) and Donnelle Balunos (defender). Sophomore midfielder Claire Astorino rounds out the quintet.

O’Bara is a three-year starter and Lussier has started for two seasons. 

“Lauren is one of the top goalies in the league,’’ Pichel said. “She had a goals-against average of 1.05 and eight shoutouts last year. She focuses on making improvements to her game every year. She’s our field commander in the backfield. Ella (Lussier) works hard to support the offense and defensive end of the field and maintains control of her side. Ella is an accurate passer whose shot on net is effective.’’

McDonald has started for two years and Balunos is in her third year as a starter. Last season, McDonald scored 10 goals and had 13 assists to finish as the third leading scorer.

“Ella (McDonald) is an incredible talent and she sets the standard for positional game excellence, for continuous improvement, tenacity and grit. Donnelle will take over leadership to rebuild our backline after our entire defensive corps was lost to graduation. She’ll mentor and teach the needed skills to inexperienced players and she’ll provide the backbone, aggressiveness and intelligence to make our younger defenders a cohesive unit.’’

Astorino is beginning her first year as a starter. “Claire is a creative offensive player who’s got great field vision,’’ Pichel said. “A good student of the game, she’s got a strong desire to be the best player on the field.’’

Other key players include senior defender Arianna Dubovsky, sophomore midfielder Ava Quinton, senior defender Alex D’Amadio, and sophomore Madison Howitt, a sophomore defensive midfielder.

“Ari is a versatile player who can compete as a defensive midfielder or outside wing,’’ Pichel said. “She’s aggressive and skilled with precision passing. Ava is a first-year varsity player who’s quick and a threat on offense as she approaches the box. Her shot from either side will provide a scoring punch from the wing position.

“Alex, who’s regarded as one of the top female runners in the state, will use that gift to protect the defensive third of the pitch. Alex works hard with an aggressive style to defend against any offensive threats. Madison is a gifted defensive player who sees the field with much clarity. Her passes will split the seams and accurately find her targets.’’

The 67-year-old Pichel relies on an athletic philosophy that combines winning, reaching one’s potential and having fun. “Those ingredients are all related,’’ he said. “If our players enjoy competing and are having fun, then they’ll reach their potential and that leads to winning.’’

Life lessons can be learned in sports and Pichel hopes soccer has taught his players some valuable tenets going forward. “Sports teach athletes how to overcome adversity, how to be resilient, to be good teammates and leaders, and how to solve problems,’’ he offered. “Other good lessons are how to build relationships, how to manage time and how to sharpen one’s work ethic.’’

Pichel, a native of Springfield who was raised in Milford, favors an up-tempo, aggressive style. “We’ll be aggressive no matter what our opponents’ strategy might be,’’ he said.

Pichel’s best playoff advance came in 2017 when KP lost to Westford Academy in the state semifinals. When he coached at Nipmuc Regional, he led that program to a pair of state championships.

The Kelly-Rex Division title, which KP has won for the last two years, heads Pichel’s objectives and he lists Franklin, Mansfield and Oliver Ames as the leading contenders. “Franklin has strong talent and tradition,’’ he emphasized. “Mansfield has lots of returnees and is well-skilled, and Oliver Ames is another capable squad that will rely on skilled returnees.’’

KP will go from Division 1 to Division 2 this year, a move Pichel calls “acceptable.’’

“I believe we should have played in Division 2 last year,’’ he said. “Massachusetts high school girls soccer is extremely competitive no matter what division you play in.’’

KP, which will start its season on Sept. 3 at Acton-Boxboro, will not be a breather for opponents no matter what division the Warriors compete in. Because their program is rich in tradition — in spite of rebuilding.