The Pilgrim girls soccer team is entering the Division II playoffs as the favorite, having clinched the top seed with an impressive 16-0 record.

The Lady Pats have been on a historic run since dropping last year’s heartbreaking state title game in penalty kicks. They have yet to be beaten, have outscored league opponents 75-5, and have also not allowed a multi-goal game in that span. The only team that Pilgrim failed to beat by multiple goals was Moses Brown, who also qualified for the playoffs.

A strong, consistent program has led to the Pats’ success over the past two years, according to coach Tom Flanders.

“The key word with us is ‘program.’ We care a lot about our varsity and our JV, you see (in the season finale), we were able to plug in our subs and not change the gameplan and it worked. That’s what we preach, togetherness. That’s one of the things that the kids have bought in to and we’ve had some success,” said Flanders.

The Pats are confident heading into this year’s tournament, and the returning players have not forgotten about last season’s bitter end and have used it as motivation this time around.

“We were expecting to have a good team this year since so many of us have played since freshman year and some before that. We just knew that if we kept our composure then things would work out,” said Sarah Lynch.

“We don’t want that to happen again this year. It’s fuel, we don’t want that bad taste in our mouths. We need to go out and prepare like we always do. We’ve learned,” added Hannah French.

Although the Pats are flying high, Flanders is hoping his team remains level-headed the rest of the way while it also works to find holes in its game to fill.

“We have had some great performances this year. There have been times where they’ve been brilliant, and we want to see that be infectious, we want to see them continue to grow. We’re constantly looking for how we can improve, we want to have an open mindset,” said Flanders. “These girls work hard, they want to be around each other and they love the experience.”

That attitude has spread to the club’s leaders, including Madi D’Amato, who expects to face each opponent’s best shot from here on out.

“Coach Flanders tells us before every game that every team is going to bring their A-game. We just keep working,” said D’Amato. “That’s the thing about the way last season ended, it shows us that we can’t be cocky about the whole 16-0 thing and that it doesn’t matter.”

The Pats will host the winner of Wednesday’s Ponaganset-Wheeler matchup. The results were not available at press time.

Looking ahead to the opening round, one advantage that the Pats also have … is unity.

“Our team is very close and we know how to play together,” said French. “It doesn’t matter who is out there, we are together.”