By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer 

Caroline Salley was a sophomore starter on the Holliston girls soccer team that beat Winchester and won a state championship. Now, the senior midfielder, who’s in her final season of lacrosse, would be thrilled if she could experience another state title as her three-sports career at Holliston heads for the finish line.

 

Qualifying for tourney play and striving for a state championship were Salley’s goals before the lacrosse season began but now there’s an additional objective. She just wants to get healthy and be ready for the playoffs.

The 5-foot-3 Salley, a three-sport captain in soccer, basketball and lacrosse, suffered a fractured wrist after helping the Panthers go 5-2 after seven games. The injury, however, isn’t likely to prevent her from competing in the post-season. 

“I slipped on the turf at practice and ended up with a wrist fracture,’’ said Salley. “Hopefully, I’ll be cleared to play after three weeks if all goes well. That would enable me to play in our final four games and be ready for the tourney.’’

The personable Salley, who’s a dynamic performer in the classroom (4.0 GPA and on her way to Boston College), was upbeat and positive after learning of her setback.

“At least it happened at a point where I can return and finish the season,’’ Salley emphasized. “I started the season and I’ll be ready to finish it.’’ In the seven matches she played, the personable Salley scored seven goals and assisted on three others.

The Holliston native is a study in mental toughness and resiliency, two attributes she lists as valuable life lessons that she’s learned in athletics.

“Mental toughness is one of my strengths,’’ Salley offered. “In lacrosse, I might miss a ground ball but the key is to bounce back, recover and don’t lose focus. Being mentally tough and resilient is all about overcoming challenges. To return and help our team be successful in the post-season is my No. 1 priority.’’

Losing Salley wasn’t what coach Ali Jacobs and the rest of the Panthers were expecting but they’ve weathered her absence. They’ve gone from 5-2 to 11-2 at Local Town Pages deadline.

“Caroline is a competitive two-way midfielder,’’ Jacobs said. “She’s got a high lacrosse IQ, she can pass and score, defend and get draws. Her transition game is excellent, always able to cut to the ball and clear quickly. She’s also got speed and superb skills.’’

A Tri Valley League all-star in soccer and basketball, Salley likely would have added lacrosse to her all-star collection if she didn’t miss three weeks. What makes the 18-year-old so effective is her passion for playing as a midfielder.

“I like the position because it gives you free range where you cover a lot of ground,’’ she said. “The transition game requires a quick mind-set to avoid a defender when you’re on offense. Anticipation is a big plus to help a midfielder read and react, especially when a pass is in order.’’

Besides mental toughness and the attributes Jacobs listed, Salley is also quick and able to rely on endurance. “Sometimes a midfielder can be competing for more than five minutes at a time,’’ she said. “It’s a position where you have to be in shape and endure some lengthy stretches.’’

Salley firmly believes a state title could be in the Panthers’ future.

“We’ve got the talent, we’re dedicated and all four of the senior captains have made the state title their primary goal.’’ 

The other captains are attackers Abby and Bridget Glynn and defender Lily Sawyers. “They’re quality leaders, they’re talented and their skills are exceptional,’’ Salley noted.

A big fan of Jacobs, Salley admires her coach because “she’s knows the game, she’s a terrific motivator, and is outstanding at getting her players prepared.’’

Salley, who started playing lacrosse at seven, was extremely prepared when the Panthers played Hopkinton earlier this season. “Our 18-10 victory was the first time we’ve beaten Hopkinton in three years,’’ Salley said. “Our team chemistry was excellent and I played a good all-around game, especially in transition.’’

As far as her top thrill at Holliston goes, lacrosse will have to take a back seat to the 2019 soccer team that won a state crown.

“That was such a cool experience,’’ Salley said. “It was surreal, just an amazing moment. The match was at Worcester State, there was a sea of fans wearing red and we defeated Winchester, 3-2. That was such a wonderful time for Holliston.’’

A player who relies on patience because “I prefer to pass,’’ Salley, however, is aggressive in the classroom. Her 4.0 GPA attests to that. She’s on the student council and she’s a two-time member of National Honor Society. Her major at Boston College will be  neuroscience.

“I plan to play club or intramurals at BC but I’m not sure if it’ll be soccer or lacrosse,’’ she said.

A versatile three-sport athlete, Salley’s competitive philosophy is a combination of winning, reaching her potential and having fun. “If an athlete is reaching his or her potential, then winning and enjoyment will follow,’’ she said. “Sports also help to a player to learn valuable life lessons. Besides resilience, I’ve learned to be selfless, or a team player, and I’ve learned how to be an effective leader.’’

A captain who leads by example and by being vocal, Salley says she also strives to be encouraging and supportive of all her teammates. She’s learned how to be encouraging because of her parents and her siblings. “My parents (Brian and Celeste) and my sisters and brother (Katie, Lauren and Ben) have been so supportive. My siblings kind of set the pace for my athletic development and my parents have been very encouraging.’’

During her freshman and junior seasons of lacrosse (sophomore year sports canceled because of the pandemic), Salley and the Panthers faced Bedford both times and lost to them in the second round as a freshman and in the third round last year. She’s wouldn’t mind another chance.

“The third time would be a charm,’’ she emphasized. “I know some of their players from club lacrosse. We’d have a good chance of winning if we faced them in the playoffs.

Now that her final season of interscholastic sports at Holliston is nearing the end, Salley calls this time “bittersweet.’’

“Holliston and three varsity sports have been a major part of my life,’’ she said. “There’s been some great highlights and my teammates and coaches have been wonderful. I’m sad it’s ending but I’m wicked excited about my future at BC. I’ll meet some new people and still compete at some level.’’

The state playoffs will be Caroline Salley’s final stop as a Panther. She’s hoping it’ll be as memorable a moment as soccer was in 2019.