Adult soccer team offers competition and camaraderie
Oct 30, 2023
Kira Watkins goes for a pass. Photos by Taylor Fruzzetti
Yellowjacket Jamie Hosty goes for the ball as Dragons Kate Viquez and Jenn Phaneuf defend.
Jessie Novy takes the ball from Liz Sims.
Sarah Duporte kicks the ball as Selina Delude and Julianne Trudeau defend.
LAKEVILLE – Freetown-Lakeville Women’s Soccer League co-director Kira Watkins said that playing in the adult league makes for a more exciting workout than going to the gym.
“I can go to the gym and I don’t mind lifting weights but I would rather play a game of soccer and get exercise,” she said.
According to Watkins, who is the captain of the Lime Lasers, the Freetown-Lakeville Women’s Soccer League has grown from two teams to four since it was founded by soccer moms Heather Bodwell and Kathy Scripter in 2011.
The league has one division for players aged 30 and up and another for players 40 and up.
According to Watkins, the oldest player in the league is 69 years old. She added that the majority of players are former student athletes.
“It's that same level of competition, we are just a little bit older,” said Yellow Jackets captain Jordan Latham.
Watkins said that although the league “has a big base in Lakeville,” players travel from nearby towns and even from Cape Cod to play.
“We wouldn't discourage someone who is athletic from playing,” said Watkins. “But we like to play a good game of soccer so they have to be somewhat knowledgeable.”
During the 30 and up division games on Sunday, Oct. 29, the Lime Lasers faced-off against the Boozy Blues while the Yellow Jackets played against the Red Dragons.
The Lime Lasers lost to the Boozy Blues 0-3. The Yellow Jackets won against the Red Dragons 4-0.
“It was actually a really good game,” said Watkins. “They didn’t score until halfway through the second half and [the Boozy Blues ] got momentum at the same time we got tired.”
Watkins said that the annual team draft has made for some competitive banter on the field.
“The teams change each year so we are all friendly,” Watkins said. “Some of our verbal players will try to psychologically get into each other’s heads when they are playing.”
Despite the game talk, Latham said that the team camaraderie makes the Freetown Lakeville Women’s soccer league standout against other adult leagues.
“You are always meeting new women within the league,” she said. “There is a thriving women’s soccer network that I think people don’t necessarily know about.”
To register for the league, visit https://freetownlakeville.leagueapps.com/leagues .
