BY MATT SCHOOLEY
Sponsored by Indian Head Athletics
Cassey Muse may be
just a freshman, but
she hasn’t played
like just anyone.
The Central graduate
and Candia resident, now
playing for the Wheaton College
women’s soccer team,
notched goals in her first six
games, helping the Lyons
move into the national rankings
and earning the Indian
Head Athletics Athlete of the
Month honor for September.
Muse earned the start
and scored twice in her initial
collegiate game, the first
goal coming just 57 seconds
into the contest.
The former Little Green
state-title winner went on to
become the first Lyons freshman
to find the back of the
net in six consecutive contests
since 1999.
“It’s like she’s not a freshman,”
said Alessia Viscomi, a
Wheaton captain. “We look
at her like an experienced
upperclassman. I can only
imagine what it’ll be like during
her senior year.”
The Lyons are now 9-
1 on the year and recently
reached a No. 13 ranking in
the National Soccer Coaches
Association of America poll.
During her first days of
practice, Muse immediately
began to click with her teammates.
Her team captains
said she quickly became
vocal with her fellow freshmen,
as well as the team’s
upperclassmen.
“Just because you’re a
freshman doesn’t mean you
can’t be a leader on the field,”
said Lyndsey McManus,
another Wheaton captain.
“It’s essential on the field to
have great communication.
Especially playing (forward),
you have to have that constantly.
You could tell that
she really settled in.”
During 10 September
games, Muse managed a
gaudy nine goals, in addition
to dishing out three assists
for a total of 21 points.
Muse said she is happy to
help the team as it battles for
New England Women’s and
Men’s Athletic Conference
supremacy, but she worries
there may be a down side to
her early success.
“It’s really exciting, but in
a way it’s scary knowing that
because of the start I got off
to, I’ll always be compared
to this season for the rest of
my time here. Anything less
could be seen as a letdown,”
said Muse, whose twin sister,
Jordan, plays key minutes for
the team’s stingy defense. “I
try to forget about the statistics
part and just play with
heart and desire. I just want
to be able to help in games
and not make any mistakes.”
Entering a new system
under a different head coach
took some time for Muse to
get used to, but she said she
has been helped by motivating
e-mails from Central head
coach Peter Lally throughout
the transition.
Viscomi said Muse’s
determination and hard
work during practice have
led to her success.
“Since she first got here,
she stepped on the field and
wasn’t worried or scared.
She said, ‘How can I help
this team?’” Viscomi said. “It
definitely has boosted the
team to hear that.”
Muse said she is proud
to represent her hometown
and sends a message to her
former teammates at Central:
it is possible to have an
impact at the college level.
“I’m just a girl from Candia,
New Hampshire,” said
Muse. “I’m showing it doesn’t
matter where you come from.
You can be successful.”
(Editor’s note: The Athlete
of the Month receives a $50
gift certificate courtesy of
Indian Head Athletics.)