Lynnfield resident Kayla Smyrnios, a junior at The Pingree School in South Hamilton, has committed to play Division 1 soccer at the University of New Hampshire.
Smyrnios said she was also looking at Bryant University and UMass Lowell. UNH reached out to her after seeing her play at a tournament last fall, and reached out again after seeing her at another tournament a couple of weeks ago. Smyrnios said she fell in love with UNH after visiting the school late last week.
“I loved everything about it and thought it has the best overall atmosphere,” she said. “I loved the head coach Steve Welham and his staff. I got to meet the players and spend time with them and they were great. Once they made me an offer, I knew it was the right place for me. It’s such a relief and felt like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders.”
In three seasons, Smyrnios has scored 63 goals for the Highlanders, which has won three straight NEPSAC (New England Preparatory School Athletic Council) Eastern Independent League titles. Pingree came up just short of winning a third consecutive NEPSAC Class B championship in 2024, losing 2-0 to the Dexter Southfield School last fall. Pingree defeated Dexter-Southfield 2-1 in overtime in 2023 to make it two straight, in which Smyrnios notched both assists.
Freshman year in 2022, the Highlanders defeated Lawrence Academy 3-0 in the championship game. Smynios scored the game-winning goal and provided one assist.
In 2024, Smyrnios missed several games with an injury yet still finished with 23 goals and five assists, bringing her career points total to 77. Despite being only a junior, Smyrnios has already collected several club and high school honors and awards. A three-year All Eastern Independent League and All NEPSAC all-star, Smyrnios received NEPSAC championship MVP honors in 2022. She was also named to the 2024 Massachusetts Soccer Coaches All-State team.
A Peabody native, Smyrnios is no stranger to excellence in athletics. Her grandfather is none other than Peabody track legend and MSTCA Hall of Fame member George Smyrnios, a longtime track coach and athletic director. The outdoor track oval is named after him. Kayla Smyrnios’ father Peter played football and ran track at Peabody High. Kayla Smyrnios works out in the off-season with current Peabody track coach Fernando Braz, who won 12 state titles in track and cross country under George Smyrnios.
Pingree Coach Jackie Hughes said Smyrnios is “one of the most committed and hardest-working athletes I have ever coached.
“She works hard on and off the field. She is motivated and puts time in at home whether it is going to the field to work on things, staying fit in the gym, or taking the time to recover and rehab any injuries she may have.”
Hughes said Smyrnios’ strength is “definitely” her speed, IQ, and technical abilities.
“She is a well-rounded player,” Hughes said. “She isn’t afraid to take players on with speed and loves to shoot. Last season, she missed a couple of weeks, but when she came back it was like she hadn’t missed a beat. I suspect that as a senior she will hit 100 points.”
Duwayne “Doc” Simpson coached Smyrnios at Pingree during her freshman year and part of her sophomore year and also coached her at NEFC for three years.
“Kayla is extremely fast, which helps her, and is also very skillful,” Simpson said. “She is really strong in 1-v-1 and is an excellent goal scorer and finisher so she is a nice total package. She had a crazy work ethic and was a lot of fun to coach. I really enjoyed it.”
Smyrnios will be joining a Wildcats’ squad that enjoyed its best season in many years last fall, posting a record of 12-5-1 and making it to the American East Championship game where it lost to top-seeded University of Maine, 3-0.
Hughes believes UNH is a “perfect fit” for Smyrnios.
“I think Kayla will do exceptionally well at UNH,” Hughes said. “She will bring a lot to their offense with her discipline, hard work, and love of the game.”
Smyrnios just finished up the basketball season at Pingree as the team manager. The club soccer season with her NEFC GC Red team began last week, so Smyrnios has her hands full balancing soccer with a full slate of activities at Pingree, a slate that includes being a writing center tutor and active member of the school paper club.
Smyrnios said she is undecided about a major, but, right now, is focused on finishing her Pingree career with another NEPSAC Class B title next fall.
“The goal is to finish with another win,” said Smyrnios, who will serve as a captain of the 2025 team. “I’m excited about that and also so excited to see what the future brings at UNH.”
