By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

The D-word should soon be part of the vocabulary among friends, fans and parents who closely follow the fortunes of the Natick High girls soccer team.

oach Dave Wainwright has guided Natick High to a pair of state titles in girls soccer.

Coach Dave Wainwright’s Redhawks, who won their second state championship last November, have been to the winner’s circle twice in the last three years and have played for a state crown three times in the last six seasons. If Natick wins another state title this fall, that’ll be three championships in four years. Those numbers make it difficult to deny the Redhawks’ soccer program as a dynasty.

Wainwright, who’s been at Natick’s helm for the last six years, concurs that his program is on the verge of being labeled “a dynasty.’’

“A state title in 2024 would make it three championships in the last four years and it also would give us four appearances in seven years in the state final,’’ he said. “Those numbers speak for themselves and they would give us a legitimate claim to being called a dynasty.’’

After Natick defeated Bishop Feehan of Attleboro, 2-0, last November for its second title, there were plenty of smiles and embraces but nowhere was there talk about a dynasty. 

“There was no mention of a repeat,’’ Wainwright said. “No talk about a dynasty. The girls were living in the moment. Whether it was on the field or on the bus, joy, happiness and elation dominated. A lot of stress was off the girls’ shoulders.’’

Wainwright is no stranger guiding teams to state titles. A teacher at the Pollard School (grades 7 and 8) for 25 years in Needham, he’s been Needham High’s boys lacrosse coach for 21 years. In 2003, his squad beat Amherst for the Division 2 crown. Besides Natick’s two state championships in soccer (2021 and 2023), he led Dover-Sherborn’s girls to a state crown in 2011.

Winning the 2023 state title was no easy task for the Redhawks. They defeated Boston Latin, Weymouth and Concord-Carlisle before getting even with Brookline, the only team to leave a blemish on the Redhawks’ overall record of 21-1-1. Natick downed Brookline, 5-2, before blanking Feehan in the finale. The triumph over Feehan also had a touch of pay-back. It was the Shamrocks who eliminated Natick in the Elite Eight last year by a 2-1 margin.

“A huge plus for us was the experience we got in our 2021 title run that ended with a 3-2 win over Hingham,’’ Wainwright offered. “We knew what to expect against Feehan. Seeing is believing.’’

The 53-year-old Wainwright said his team did ‘the unthinkable’ during its journey to the state final. 

“We relied on a workman-like approach,’’ he noted. “We got great effort across the board, our defense rose to the occasion and our offense scored by committee. We also created our own luck and we had an answer for everything Feehan threw at us.’’

 First-half goals by Kira Henderson and Cassidy Moriarty and the effective goal-tending of Katie McMahon were all Natick needed to shut out Feehan.

Wainwright isn’t bashful about listing the strengths that last year’s squad displayed.

“We had experience and depth, and our team chemistry and leadership were outstanding,’’ he emphasized. “We also relied on speed and quickness, technical skills, talent and mental toughness. To win state titles it’s imperative that you peak at the right time, stay injury-free, have some talent and get some luck. Another key is to have players who are emotionally and mentally resilient. That leads to kids bouncing back and buying in.’’

The Redhawks lose four seniors from the title-winning squad but there are 16 girls returning, all with experience. 

“Megan Mela, Nicole Proia, Lydia Proia, Allegra Gagnon and Jill Ferguson return to reload our attacking forward line,’’ Wainwright said. “A talented group, they scored 71 goals last season. Our center midfielders are creative visionaries and they include Olivia Penn, Cassidy Moriarty and Abby McCauley. Marivieve McEleney and Lulu Wislocki-Wasecki return as veteran roster players who’ll produce as outside midfielders. Our midfield strength lies in the chemistry and bond that this squad has earned over the last few seasons. 

“Our defense will feature a reliable, talented line of experience. Kendall Hacker. Kira Henderson, Kaitlyn Blair and Stella Boggis represent our most seasoned veterans from this past year. Our young goalkeepers — Liesl Niedermyer and Katie McMahon — both return after having a season to remember.’’ 

Back-to back state championships don’t grow on trees but if they did, it’s obvious that the Natick High girls soccer team would be very adept at shaking the branches. 

Next November will be an interesting month for fans of the Redhawks. It could be a time when the D-word becomes popular.