Unsung Hero: Girls Soccer Senior Center-Mid Jess Havrilla

With new head coach Sheldon Chamberlain taking over the Rams girls soccer squad, veteran girls could have been more ept to resist a new coaching style after a few years of being on the team. However, for senior captain Jess Havrilla, Chamberlain's presence means a much-needed new vibe for the Rams.

"I think it’s awesome," Havrilla said. "It’s an exciting change. I think it’s one that we were definitely ready for and definitely needed. He brings a whole new aspect where we’re looking at things differently and we have a different feel. It’s very exciting for us. Especially as a senior, I’m excited to have that change in my senior year."

Chamberlain and his assistant Denise Johnston nominated Havrilla for this week's unsung hero, citing her position of center-mid as one where glory doesn't often show its golden face.

"We picked Jess because she’s a senior that hasn’t gotten recognized," Johnston said. "She’s a really important person on the field. She’s not recognized because she doesn’t score goals. You always see peoples' names in the paper that score goals. She’s the reason why we’re able to do the things we do. She’s a great leader and she’s one of the captains, too."

Havrilla agreed with Johnston in that she doesn't score a lot of goals, but said she doesn't mind doing the dirty work.

"I’m kind of excited that they picked me at that," she said. "It’s kind of hard. You kind of have to drop back a little bit. You’re not in on all the offensive stuff. I’m not there saving every ball like glorious defenders. I kind of have to do the dirty work and dig stuff out and play out of it. I guess that’s kind of the reason I got it. You don’t get all the recognition for it."

Seeing the field and knowing where people are is the staple in Havrilla's game, she said. Despite a rough start for the girls, Havrilla thinks the team will come together this year. Most of all, she is excited to finish her career and move on to college, where she will most likely play club or intramural soccer.

"It’s definitely been a very fun four years," said Havrilla. "I’m very excited to be a senior captain."