For Lydia Simmons, perhaps the best thing about going away was coming home.

The Londonderry senior, who transferred to Brewster Academy last year, opted for a Lancerland comeback this fall. Reuniting with nearly lifelong teammates and a rejuvenated style of play, Simmons has netted nine goals and made 12 assists while helping her team jumpstart the season with a 5-1 mark.

The lone loss, a 4-3 season-opener to three-time defending champ Exeter, gave the team an immediate measuring stick for season-long improvement. Since then, Londonderry has posted five straight shutouts, outscoring foes 34-0 heading into a Friday encounter with visiting Manchester Central (2-1-2) at 4 p.m.

An aside, the undefeated Londonderry boys meet up with defending Division I champion Central (4-1-1) at Gill Stadium on Friday at 4 p.m.

“I’m back with my old friends and it’s fun,” said Simmons, a speedy left-footed scorer. Ranked as one of the best midfielders in the Northeast, she was a first team all-state choice as a sophomore before transferring to Brewster Academy, where she was selected as Lakes Region All-Star in 2011 and recently served as a pool player for the U17 national team.

She is poised and patient with the ball, feinting and faking to maintain possession while looking to pass or shoot. She can change speed or direction. Few defenders can steal the ball off her foot.

“At Brewster we played a possession style of soccer. I liked it. But I really liked coming back to Londonderry’s attack-minded play. We’re always going to the net,” said Simmons, still uncertain about her college destination.

“Lydia is absolutely confident with her soccer abilities, particularly when she has a foot on the ball,” said Londonderry coach Derek Dane. “Two years ago we had her playing wide or on top as a forward. Now we’ve placed her more in the midfield to keep her more involved and give her more touches.”

The Lancers offense is seldom homesick. For the last five games they have dominated play, possessing the ball, constantly pushing forward en route to their goal. The flow looks synchronized and natural, like healthy cell rotation viewed under a microscope. Defensive backs come forward to help while midfielders and forwards swap spots converging on open spaces and creating shots.

“I’m not up top waiting for the ball, I’m a part of every attack and very aware of keeping everyone involved. So far we are doing well possessing the ball,” said Simmons.

Ten Lancers have scored thus far this season. Forwards Emily Crocetti (seven goals) and Aliza Simpson (six goals) have consistently finished chances. Midfielders Maeve Holland, who returned to the team this season after transferring to Central Catholic in Lawrence Mass., and Kayleen Walberg, combined to contribute nine goals.

“We’re starting to look like something,” said Dane, noting how Londonderry averages one goal in every seven shot on net. They have manufactured 142 shots while limiting the opposition to 33.

AMBIDEXTROUS FEET: Like Simmons, Timberlane of Plaistow junior Rachel Morrier switched from forward to midfield this season. Homeschooled as a freshman, she tallied 28 goals in her first-ever scholastic season last year. Highly competitive, she’s lethal with either foot and has struck five goals this season while also setting up fellow Owls (3-2).

“If you saw her play for the first time you probably wouldn’t know if she were left or right footed,” said Timberlane coach Jeff Bauman, also noting that Morrier is highly respected by her teammates.

MAN AMONG BOYS is how several Division II coaches have described Trinity of Manchester striker Jacob Zimmerman. The senior carries over 200 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame and is able to shield a couple of defenders while dribbling toward the goal, which is a good thing since two and sometimes three defenders mark him.

The assistant captain has netted three goals and made six assists while helping the Division II Pioneers (3-2) win two in a row and three of their last four games. Trinity coach Michael Martinez figures Zimmerman has knocked six potential goals off posts and crossbars already this autumn.

“Although built like a man he has that boyish enthusiasm about the game. He is passionate about soccer off the field as well,” said Martinez, who is happily watching a group of talented Trinity players morph into a unified team.

Fellow assistant captain Nick Boire, a junior, works hard at shutting down the opposing team’s hot foot. Led by senior captain Jon Dumont, the midfield, which includes Ozzy Kahya, Zach Girard and Ian Brenner, has combined to score eight goals and five assists. Taylor Bond has dominated as a sweeper and keeper.

TRULY GIVING BACK: The Pinkerton of Derry boys’ soccer team, which already dedicates time working with intellectually disabled and collecting food for a nearby soup kitchen, vowed to dedicate one practice each week performing household chores for the widows of former Pinkerton coaches Bill Cofrin (lacrosse) and Ralph VanNostrand (volleyball, basketball and baseball), who died during the past school year.

Astros soccer coach Kerry Boles often caught himself thinking about Nancy Cofrin and Sue VanNostrand while puttering around his own home. He couldn’t imagine their grief. “And then they have to worry about the tasks Bill and Ralph handled,” said Boles. “Then it hit me. We can help.”

The team jumped at the chance to become handymen, spending yesterday afternoon at the Nostrin home, working from a “honey do” list Nancy developed. Next week they’ll do the same thing at the VanNostrand home, and alternate between each home for the remainder of the season. Jobs, family commitments and the upcoming SAT exam prohibited a total team turnout on Saturdays.

Boles acknowledged that cutting practice time was a big sacrifice for his 4-1 club. “But this is really important. This is life. This puts the game of soccer in perspective. I’m not sure where this soccer season takes us, but I’m very proud of them already,” he said.

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Eric Emmerling covers high school soccer for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. Write him at eemmerling@unionleader.com.