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ALYSSA ACCOMANDO, Beverly, Sr., Midfield One of the Panther captains who had a significant role in the BHS seniors making the postseason for the first time in five years ... Had 7 goals and 5 assists ... 2006 team MVP ... Scored two goals off free kicks ... Undecided between Division 2 and 3 on college choices as they pertain to soccer ... 3.96 GPA ... Ranked 24th in class.

Kevin "Bud" McCarthy keeps the portrait in his wallet. It's stained and yellowed, but the gold buttons on his uniform are still bright.

Could it really be him?

If you didn't believe that McCarthy a man known for his wit, charm and empathy, was a marine, the photograph proves it.

Nora Einhorn, Emily Helming, Juliana Martinez and Niles Batchelder have a few things in common. They're all seniors in high school, attend Hamilton-Wenham Regional, and are all pretty strong soccer players.

Throw out the current Massachusetts high school tournament structure, a system based solely on winning percentage for the way teams qualify for and are seeded in the state tournament.

The idea behind seeding teams is to reward the best teams with the easiest draw so that fans can see the best matchups at the end of each sectional.

Bree Robinson didn't expect this. She figured Pinkerton wouldn't be contending for a Class L title this fall. "Truthfully," the senior striker said, "I thought next year was going to be a great year."

Admittedly, Alex Bengston is as outgoing as they come. She's not quite at Jonathan Papelbon's level yet, but she isn't afraid to let loose. Just ask her.

"I talk a lot," she said, "so people know a lot about me." Jess Morrow, on the other hand, works silently. "She directs things quietly," Andover High girls coach Meghan Matson said.

Led by co-MVP Jess Morrow, Andover ruled the all-Merrimack Valley Conference girls soccer team.

Morrow, a junior midfielder who leads the Golden Warriors with 15 goals, shared Large School MVP honors with Kirsten Chirichetti of Billerica. Andover led all teams with four All-MVC players. The others were junior Alexandra Bengston and seniors Erica Leber and Camille Fantini.

Anne Marinaro has been a fixture in the Merrimack Valley since the late 1980s, when she starred for the Andover High (Eagle-Tribune All-Star in 1989-90) and University of Maine soccer teams.

Back then, you knew her as Anne Murnane. That was before she married her high school sweetheart, Joe Marinaro, an Andover football great who went on to become a three-year starting lineman at the University of Michigan.

Kristin Wyke has college plans that don't include varsity soccer. The Salem High senior goalkeeper is most likely to continue in either club or intramurals in college, perhaps even playing lacrosse instead.

Ahh, the glory of October high school soccer. Now that the shadows are creeping out much earlier in the day, each goal seems to matter that much more. And with only a week and a half remaining before the end of the season, the time to figure out which teams will be making their post season appearances is upon us.