Bill Kipouras
Nicolle Wood has a different approach about recruiting. The Salem State College women's soccer coach doesn't call a prospect every week. She'll have a conversation, make her presentation and hope the interview is impressive enough to warrant an application.
"Jackie (Gauthier) was our No.1 recruit, and I also told her that she would have a good future in our program. Then I left her alone. I believe a recruit should make a well-rounded decision on college, not just athletics," Wood said. "I don't believe a college should give a recruit constant attention."
The coach got an assist in landing someone she ranks among the best players on the North Shore.
That boost came from SSC standout Taylor Orlando, a Danvers alumnus, friend and former teammate who often told Gauthier that Salem was a great fit for her and had excellent coaching.
The 17-year-old Gauthier needed no introduction to Wood.
They first met when Wood was on the staff at High Performance where Gauthier rehabbed a knee injury and did strength and conditioning. Wood would subsequently train Gauthier in the offseason.
As the coach of the Boston Bolts, Wood often saw Gauthier as an opposing talent with the Aztecs.
Wood was sold on Gauthier as a collegiate talent, but wondered if Salem would be a consideration. She thought the extraordinary playmaker and 5-foot-1 midfielder might land in Division 2 with her wide-ranging skills.
"I like everything about her game, her competitive spirit, character ... she's a very positive kid, and very humble. She sees herself as part of the team, as good as she is. That's important. She makes the players around her better, same as Katy Verrette, who we got from Bishop Fenwick. She has the talent to play any offensive position. She's small, but plays big," Wood said.
"We have a great respect for local talent, and in Danvers Jim Hinchion coaches the players with an attitude that he's going to develop them further and not win at all costs. He's teaching the game, and the way he does it allows them to progress. Any kid we get from him can come in and play soccer here."
"Jackie was Salem's No. 1 recruit? I'm not surprised," Hinchion said.
Now, he pointed out, Danvers will have a trio at Salem, including Nicole Theberge, and a pair at Endicott, Kayla Corbett and Brianna Russo. It thrills Hinchion to have his kids playing college ball locally.
Gauthier was a four-time starter and NEC all-star, team MVP as a sophomore, three-time All-Eastern Mass. on the first team, and a three-time all-state selection.
"She's on the small side, but plays like a tiger and never backs down from a 50-50 ball. So much heart, so much will, and desire to win," Hinchion said. "Great tenacity, and exceptional with the ball on her foot. Her skills are incredible, like her dribbling. She has all the technical skills, that's for sure. I thought she was a fantastic defender as well. She could play both sides and shut down the other team's best player."
The best part of Gauthier's game? Her creativity, Hinchion said.
Gauthier said she was talking to St. Lawrence, but skipped that possibility when she broke it down to Salem State and Emmanuel in Boston.
"I always thought I'd go far away in Division 2, but Salem and Emmanuel were close. Wayne Curry (Emmanuel) showed a lot of interest and I appreciated that interest. I've had a great relationship with Nikki (that's Nicolle Wood). She's an excellent coach and Taylor and Katy I know very well. I knew it was a place where I'd feel comfortable. Taylor was a motivator for me in high school."
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Today could be the day Peabody names its football coach, and although Athletic Director Phil Sheridan was reluctant to reveal the three finalists, word around the city is that varsity baseball coach Mark Bettencourt, veteran assistant Scott Wlasuk and Peabody track coach Rueben Renoso (he happens to be the offensive coordinator at Wakefield) are the trio that will produce the next coach.
A source indicated Bettencourt is a definite finalist. He declined comment, which is unusual for him. Both Bettencourt and the highly respected Wlasuk are police officers.
It wasn't that long ago when North Shore schools formally announced their football finalists.
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Freshman first baseman Eric Oxford of Danvers was named GoHolyCross.com Crusader of the Week (for all spring sports). He batted .350 in six games and had nine RBIs.
Oxford, a one-time St. John's Prep student who transferred to Danvers High, went 2 for 4 with a double and four RBIs in a twinbill split vs. Brown. He followed with a 5-for-16 series against Navy, where he hit two doubles, scored two runs and knocked in five runs.
Oxford now leads the Crusaders with a .326 batting mark and has 24 RBIs, 15 runs scored and 12 doubles.
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Kirsten Mammola's switching to a new position (third base) did not hamper her first season at Lasell College in Newton this spring. The North Reading native, a former Catholic Central League all-star at Bishop Fenwick, hit .378 (28 for 74), second highest on the team, and had a .440 on-base percentage for the Lasers.
She started out on the preseason Florida trip with a hot bat (.500, 8 for 16), an OBP of .579 and slugging percentage of .688. Mammola was then recognized as Player of the Week in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.
Lasell ended up 17-9 and has only one graduating senior. Mammola, a criminal justice major, saw limited time on the mound (1-0, 3.48), but will be called on for more duty next season.
Bill Kipouras is a staff writer at The Salem News. He can be reached at 978-338-2615 or by e-mail: bkipouras@salemnews.com.
