LYNNFIELD — For most high school student-athletes, senior year can be extremely stressful as they navigate their way through the college decision process.

Not so much for Lynnfield girls soccer senior captain Emma Rose, who knows exactly where she intends to be in the fall of 2025. That’s in Connecticut, playing soccer for the Trinity College Bantams.

After a junior year filled with plenty of ID camps (think college showcase days), Rose officially committed to the early-decision process at Trinity College on March 1. She said she is the first member of the Lynnfield High Class of 2025 to be recruited and commit to a college. Rose was also Trinity’s first official women’s soccer recruit in the Class of 2029.

“After my first visit and first ID clinic, I immediately knew that I wanted to not only attend college there, but also play on the women’s soccer team,” Rose, a Rec Station counselor, said during a popsicle break Friday. “The atmosphere and vibe was just what I looked for in a school. I felt comfortable and I feel that I can thrive in this friendly and fun environment. … Being the first commit on the team and also in my grade at LHS was an amazing opportunity knowing I knew where I would be going to college was so surreal and I feel so grateful.”

Rose had a breakout season last year as a junior, helping to lead the Pioneers to their 10th Cape Ann League championship and a spot in the semifinals of the state Division 4 championship. She finished the season with nine goals – four of them on corner kicks – and also notched a team- and league-high 21 assists. A Cape Ann League All-Star, Rose now has 27 career goals and 25 assists.

Rose said she narrowed her college search her sophomore and junior years to small, liberal arts, Division 3 schools in New England. The summer before her junior year, she established the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference) as her top priority. Among the schools she also considered were Amherst College and Denison College, the latter of which extended her an offer. She said she was in regular contact with both schools until she decided that Trinity was the perfect fit. After attending an ID camp at Trinity, Trinity shot to the top of the list.

“I got to meet the team and was asked to stay overnight, so I knew their interest in me was genuine,” Rose said. “I just loved everything about the school: the strong academics and athletics and the people I got to meet and I love the campus. I loved meeting the girls on the team and everything about the team was what I was looking for. They were like a family and the coach, Racheal Schroeder, was super kind and she had such a great vibe.”

A member of the National Honor Society, Rose’s Lynnfield High schedule is challenging with a mix of AP and honors courses. She plans to major in psychology at Trinity.

But for now, Rose’s focus is on only one thing, and that’s leading her Pioneers to a state Division 4 championship. The No. 4 seed in the 2023 tournament, the Pioneers came close last year, losing a 4-3 heartbreaker in penalty kicks to top-seeded South Hadley in the semifinals.

“I’m really excited about Trinity and can’t wait to get there,” Rose said. “To know that the decision is behind me is great so I can now focus on the fall season. We have a lot of work to do, but I believe we have the leadership and skills to have another great season like we did last year. All of the seniors on this team are leaders, not just the captains. We all know the importance of working hard and taking it one game at a time.”

Pioneers’ coach Mark Vermont said he is “thrilled” that another one of his players is planning to play in college.

“Emma is an extremely versatile player who can play outside and in the center,” Vermont said. “She has good vision and does a nice job moving the ball. Her ability to score on set plays obviously makes her very dangerous and I am thrilled she is playing beyond high school.”

Rose said she is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces around the Trinity campus, starting with 2024 LHS graduate and Trinity track commit Joey Cucciniello and fellow 2025 graduate, Dillon Reilly, who committed to play soccer earlier this month. 

“I think it’s so funny that the three of us are all attending Trinity and that we all get to go to such a great NESCAC school,” Rose said. “Both Joey and Dillon are great people and I know I will definitely see them, especially Dillon with soccer. … I’ll also get to play with two of my future teammates at my Upper 90 College League. I know the talent and the speed of the college game is going to be intense, but I feel ready and excited to take on the challenge.”