The Darien High School girls soccer team is looking forward to a 2009 season that's comparable to the 2008 season – maybe even more successful.
LAST SEASON:
Last year, Coach Jonathan Bradley's squad finished the season with a 16-3-1 record, which included a trip to the FCIAC finals (a loss to St. Joseph’s), and a quarter final round berth in the State championships. Six starters from 2008 are off to college: Meg Gilbert (def) and Caroline Boulton (mid) are at Colgate; Emma Stockman is closer to home at New York University; Courtney Bennett (mid-fielder) is at Dartmouth; Brook Psister is at Williams, and Amanda Koslo (mid) has begun her freshman year at Gettysburg.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING:
There are five co-captains in 2009. Liz Calby (mid), Alex Budd (def), Cat Thomas (fwd), Rachel Kannigan (mid), along with Kelly Mahoney (fwd), will form the nucleus of what Coach Bradley calls, "A strong and skillful group with good depth." Bradley also expects to give quality time to Meredith Jordan, Alex Pear, Leslie Yuen and Marieke Bravo.
COACH'S CORNER:
Coach Bradley's 2008 team averaged two and a half goals a game. He says, "I expect we'll average at least that number again this year, perhaps even more." He adds that he expects the top half of the FCIAC to offer some stiff competition: “St. Joseph's, New Canaan, Wilton-the usual bunch-will be very competitive."
MOST FUN INCIDENTS LAST SEASON:
It's a runaway, according to Rachel Kannigan. She says that girls soccer has the shortest practices of all the fall teams. "We're usually done practicing on a daily basis at around 4:30 pm before any of the other teams are finished, and it works."
Coach Bradley recalled the day the team traded in their soccer balls for ice cream bowls. With the team clearly “not into it,” Bradley canceled practice early, and the girls hopped in their cars and headed to the ice cream store.
The team also has a yoga trainer, and they have yoga sessions before big games.
Ice cream, yoga, and a whole bunch of wins. Sounds like Blue Wave Girls Soccer may have found the recipe for a successful season.
