The 2021 fall athletic season has officially come to an end, and the KO varsity girls soccer team battled to a 6-10-1 overall record. The Wyverns were up against fierce competition but triumphed in numerous wire-to-wire victories, giving the team a boost of confidence as the season rolled on. In her second season at the helm but first with a full game slate, Head Coach Krista Sahrbeck was proud of the girls’ resilience and stellar chemistry that flourished throughout the season.
“I think the season went well,” Coach Sahrbeck said. “What our record does not reflect is the growth the team experienced over the course of the season. We played very hard against some of the strongest teams in New England, and the outcome doesn’t always represent the overall quality of play.”
The Wyverns played a jam-packed schedule and most times had only three days of preparation before games, one of which was used strictly to recover. Sahrbeck’s methodical approach to every practice made her a well-respected leader and helped her players be laser-focused on one aspect of the game at a time.
“The one day used to recover is a little less rigorous from a physical standpoint, so we would talk, reflect, and sometimes watch film to identify the challenges we experienced,” Coach Sahrbeck said. “The day before a match, [we did] a lot of tactical drills and small-sided games with different challenges [and] limitations. We also did full field scrimmages to get into the game time feel, and [I] presented the teams with different game scenarios, like being down a goal, being up a goal, fouls in different parts of the field, [and] corner kicks.”
After a tough late-season loss to Berkshire School, the Wyverns swiftly regrouped for their home finale on Nov. 6 and came out on top 2-0 against the Tigers of Greenwich Country Day School. Sophomore forward Georgia Louis and senior midfielder Olivia Chomick cashed in on the scoresheet and junior goalie Kyra Dunnirvine and freshman goalie Addisen Nicholson were magnificent from start to finish in the team’s fourth shutout of the season.
The girls then traveled to Watertown on Nov. 10, to take on Taft School in what was the last time the seniors would put on their cleats while donning the red and black. KO came out blazing, and Louis once again notched a goal on an amazing strike past the Rhinos’ goalkeeper. They were able to hold on to the advantage after the first 45 minutes of play, but a controversial offsides call had the score level early in the second half. Back and forth, the momentum shifted in an evenly matched affair until a goal for the home side broke the 1-1 tie. Taft was able to tack on another late to edge the Wyverns 3-1.
Senior defender and Co-captain Caroline Dawson was proud of the team’s development playing cohesively on the field and maintaining a positive mindset even when some results didn’t go their way.
“Coming off of two years of not having a normal soccer season, I think the team bounced back nicely and adapted to our intense schedule very well,” Dawson said. “We played hard in every single one of our games and were competitive with some of the best teams in [NEPSAC] Class B.”
Dawson was also overjoyed to be chosen as one of the team’s leaders by her peers and reflected on her four years as a varsity player.
“Being a co-captain this season was an honor,” Dawson said. “I have had the privilege of seeing three different sets of captains come and go for this team, and it meant a lot to me that I was able to serve as one for my last year. KO soccer will always hold a special place in my heart.”
A robust core of six seniors set the standard high for the program and provided invaluable leadership that future captains hope to emulate when they are called upon to step up to the plate. Coach Sahrbeck spoke to the poise they displayed on and off the field.
“My three captains stepped up to the challenge of being leaders,” Sahrbeck said. “They maintained a high standard for the type of soccer, effort, and sportsmanship we wanted to display every game. All of them had valuable impacts on the program and will be missed next year.”
The KO varsity girls soccer team will welcome back many talented returners next fall and have a keen eye on clinching a berth into the NEPSAC Class B playoffs. We wish the departing seniors luck on their journeys ahead!
