TORRINGTON >> The Torrington High School girls soccer team was an unhappy 8-8-2 last year, including one-and-done losses in the NVL Tournament and the CIAC Class L Tournament.
“The team was not all on the same page; there was a lot of infighting,” said Coach Mario Longobucco. “It seems to be clearing up this year.”
The clearing is no accident.
Senior captains Michaela Bottari, Olivia Morrison and Olivia Roberge, are dedicated to turning that problem around along with a team laden with juniors and seniors who have played together a long time.
“Starting from the end of last year, we recognized the problem and wanted to fix it,” said Roberge.
“We don’t want another year like last year, with all the tension and internal conflict,” said Morrison.
“Not a single person on the team wants to repeat last year,” agreed Bottari.
Recognizing a team-wide problem is one thing; doing something about it is another, especially with the added pressure that last year’s team and this year’s represent a unique window for the Red Raiders.
“For two years in a row, we’ve had 10 juniors and 12 seniors,” said Coach Longobucco, who had almost 40 kids turn out this year before they pared themselves down to 32 with injuries and their own decisions not to play. “After this year, there’s a big drop-off in numbers. And I don’t know where new players going to come from. There are no girls (youth) travel teams in Torrington.”
For this year’s seniors, that’s someone else’s problems. For them, like seniors everywhere, it’s now or never.
“We’ve done so much better (than last year) in the past,” said Bottari.
So, what are the solutions?
“We’ve trying to emphasize team bonding,” said Roberge.
For instance, the captains explain, at the start of each practice, the team stands in a circle, each girl taking a turn describing something that happened to her that day.
“Now, when we hear somebody had a bad day, we know we can support her a little more,” said Morrison.
“We’re trying to keep that positive relationship on and off the field,” said Roberge.
And the results?
“Last year, we hurried at times and fell apart,” said Bottari. “This year, we pass better. Our style of play is more comfortable.”
“We talk a lot more,” said Morrison.
The bottom line so far is the team scored eight goals in two scrimmages.
“We’ve added New Milford and New Fairfield to our schedule to build our tournament strength,” said Longobucco. “A lot our seniors haven’t played varsity, but our starting 11 have.”
Four All-Copper Division players are among the returners: seniors Taylor Pestritto, defense; Morrison, forward; Bottari, midfield; and junior Paige Middleton, forward.
“We could beat anybody,” said Longobucco.
The first step this year is for the Raiders not to beat themselves.
