With a 5-4-4 record, girls varsity soccer is having one of its strongest seasons in recent years.
Not only have they performed incredibly against tough teams, but they’ve also already scored more goals just halfway through the season than they scored last season. Although they have places to improve, the Wyverns have proved they’re a strong and improving team, both on and off the field.
Head Coach Sal Penta emphasized five main objectives for the season: player development, building team chemistry, creating a winning culture, developing resilience, and building for long-term success, and the team is well on its way to achieving these goals.
When comparing this season to previous ones, something that stands out is the girls’ belief. This confidence has truly played a huge role in the team’s performance, especially in tough games.
Some of the most notable games for the Wyverns were their narrow 2-1 loss against Loomis on Oct. 7, their 0-0 tie against Suffield on Oct. 10, and a close 2-0 loss against Choate on Oct. 21. Despite these teams having bigger and stronger players, the girls didn’t back down and demonstrated their resilience. Another notable game, which was away, resulted in an early 1-0 win against Williston on Sept. 26.
Another strong skill this team has is their bonding. We’re very bonded as a team,” junior attacker Captain Olivia Adamowicz shared, “and I think that really helps us push through difficult games. We’re coming up from the bottom right now, so just staying strong together and keeping up a positive mindset is definitely a really big strength that we have.”
Some especially notable players this season are senior Captain striker Maliyah Douglas with five goals, junior Captain cdm/cam Naya DeMelo with four goals and five assists, junior Captain right back Nadia Silmon with three goals and an assist, and sophomore center back Giuliana Fuzzard, who’s been an exceptional player.
Practices have played a huge role in the team’s improvement this season. Coach Penta emphasizes the importance of technical training and how to apply this during games. “The skills and aspects that are emphasized during practice are definitely just hard work,” Adamowicz shared. “Coach Sal really harps on hard work, always putting your best effort in, whether that’s during practices or during games.”
One of the team’s biggest strengths this season is their defense. They’ve been able to keep very strong teams to a narrow loss or even a tie. This is a testament to their dedication and ability to hold their ground even when challenged. Four out of the team’s five wins have been shutouts, again showing how strong their defense is.
Despite the team’s growth, there’s still room for improvement. Coach Penta mentioned how players tend to repeat mistakes throughout games, emphasizing the importance of growth and making adjustments. Adamowicz shared how a weakness of the team is getting frustrated when they’re down a few goals and tending to get in their heads.
Looking ahead, this team has lots of potential. The past seasons have been focused on growth and rebuilding as the team is so young, and the payoff is finally being shown. As players continue to grow, a strong foundation will be built for new players.
With their growing confidence, strong team chemistry, and commitment to improvement, the Wyverns are not only building a successful season but also laying the foundation for an even stronger future.
