Girls' Varsity Soccer Goes Strong

By Max Willinger

The Girls Varsity Soccer program has recently been founded and is only in its’ second year of running. The team had previously been combined between High Schools West and East. Coached by Ericka Verderber, or ‘Verdi’, the girls work as hard as they can to win games. As a result of how new the program is, many underclassmen play on the varsity team because spots must be filled. This year many sophomores and freshmen played on the team along with an eighth grader. Julia DiMaria was pulled up to varsity while presently attending Candlewood. Although the girls record was not as great as they wanted it to be, 3-8-1, the player’s feel that their record doesn’t account for all the talent they have.

One talented sophomore on the team, Christina Carone, states, “Our record most certainly does not portray our talent and we are a great team who has a lot of fun, which is the most important thing.” Carone has played on the team since she was a freshman. During practice the girls participate in drills such as possession, ball skills, shooting and transitioning, and also run. Following a loss is when the most running occurs. But in doing all of those things, the girls have fun playing together.

A few players on the team recognized for their efforts are seniors Francine Kofinas and Charnelle Saint-Laurent. Kofinas was awarded as an all-county goalie. Saint-Laurent was awarded with the All-League for her positions of goalie and forward. Both girls had an outstanding season as their senior season came to a close.

Carone also says, “She [Verderber] makes you play your best and pushes you to your full potential. A coach that has the attitude to win and doesn’t take no for an answer when telling you to push yourself is a great coach.” Other players can also account for a fabulous coaching job by Verderber.

The best part of the season, according to many players, was the game against West Babylon. It was during the last two seconds of the game when it happened. Julia DiMaria, the eighth grader, scored a goal. That part of the season was the most exciting because of all the pressure that was on the shooter to score and she came through.

Overall the girls had a fun season and helped each other into becoming great soccer players and into even grater people.