With an impressive 4-0 win against Wilbraham and Monson Academy on Wednesday, Sept. 14, and a 4-1 loss to Marianapolis Preparatory School on Saturday, Sept. 17, the girl’s varsity soccer team has opened their season with determined goals and a strong work effort, showcasing their talent. The girls are ready to continue playing at a high level in their future games.
The team is set up for success during the many remaining games of the season. The team played Miss Porter’s School on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and while the outcome was not in KO’s favor with a score of 2-0, this game showcased the growth in skill level from last year.
The girls have welcomed a new varsity Head Coach Sal Penta. Coach Penta believes in each player’s potential. He additionally expects each player to have good sportsmanship and give a strong effort during practices. But most importantly, he wants to ensure the success and passion of each player. “I want to create a positive environment where the girls can improve day-by-day and know that mistakes are okay,” Coach Penta said. “We like hard work, commitment, and then success on the field.”
The team has been developing their goals from the start of preseason and has already started working towards them. The team hopes to become a cohesive group that continuously plays with effort and intensity. Moreover, Coach Penta urges players to step out of their comfort zone and make mistakes to improve in the future. The team’s performance during their first scrimmage against Northwest Catholic showcased their strengths. However, the game also served as an educational opportunity for the team to work on development.
Junior midfielder Co-captain Georgia Louis is looking forward to the rest of the season. In addition to the importance of performance in games and practices, she highlights the importance of being a cohesive and connected team. “We know that we can only accomplish our goals and progress if we work together and are always there to support each other no matter what,” she said.
Louis and senior Co-captain Alina Vaughn are already stepping into their duties as leaders of the team. “To me, being a captain means always being there for teammates on and off the field,” Louis said. “The role of captain really gives me a chance to make sure we are working to our greatest abilities, holding each other accountable, and having positive attitudes while doing so.”
Coach Penta is impressed with the hard work and dedication of each player. With the leadership of Louis and Vaughn, the team has been better aligned to meet their goals. However, Coach Penta expects every player to rise to challenges and openly communicate with one another. “It’s a situation where I think everybody should be a leader,” he said. “I expect leadership from each and every player.”
Junior defender Ava Leshem is thrilled to be playing on the varsity team and greatly enjoys the coaching philosophy of Coach Penta. “I am so excited for this season,” she said. “I enjoy our new coach and hope we can have a successful season by working together and with maximum effort.”
As the season progresses, the team is sure to refine their skills and come together to achieve each of their goals. Coach Penta has one primary goal for the team: developing the team’s mental game. “If you think positive, you think confident and play confident,” he said. This goal is sure to be achieved as each player has put much effort into their practices and games.
We wish the girl’s varsity team luck in their future games and hope that they have a successful and fulfilling season!
