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Suspended for Senior Night

The drama and surprises that have come along with the 2013 fall sport’s season at Woodland has been surreal. From one thing to the next- football being undefeated, girls’ cross country winning the NVL, and now volleyball taking the Brass Title- it has been quite the ride for everyone.

The drama continued in the weeks leading up to October 23rd as well, with both the girls’ soccer and volleyball team’s senior nights scheduled for the same night, both at 6pm. With all the hawk pride and support for Woodland students this season, everyone was well aware that there would be some conflict about who would have more supporters.

On this night, volleyball was scheduled to play St. Paul. And coming into the game with their 15-1 record it was supposed to be a sweep. For girls’ soccer, it was a different story. The team definitely has not been struggling, and with their 11-2-3 record things were looking up for the game scheduled against Woodland’s rivals, Naugatuck who had an 8-4-1 record.

However, the fate of the soccer team seemed to take a turn last week when they went against Wolcott for the Wildcat’s senior night. Both teams were playing physical throughout the game. One of Woodland’s Junior Players, Savannah Aviz, even ended up injuring her knee in a contact play that led Wolcott to a penalty kick, which got them their 1-0 win over Woodland.

Things were not over there, however. Before the game ended, senior and two-time captain, Andrea Piccolo, received a red card for a physical play. The rules state for this type of penalty that the player must be ejected from the game and must leave the field. The player also cannot play or be present in the following game. What this meant for Piccolo was devastating. She would not be able to play in her senior night, anticipated by her since she was the only freshman starter on the team four years ago.

The day of October 23rd came a little too quick for the soccer team after that fateful game had been played. The coaches and parents had exactly one day to figure out where the ceremony to celebrate the seniors would be held, and where Piccolo would be able to watch the game since she was not allowed on the field. The conclusion they came to was this; the team would not commence with their usual senior night ceremonies until after the game, and it would take place in the Woodland cafeteria. Also, Piccolo would have to watch a live stream of the game from the WRHSMedia website from a Dunkin Donuts down the street, the closest place to the school with free wireless internet.

All day during school students made signs and made it known on Twitter what had happened. A phrase, coined by the volleyball team became the popular hash-tag “#FREEPIC”, meaning free Piccolo. Pictures all over social media and written on the cars of her teammates included the phrase, and the girls did everything they could to make Piccolo the biggest part of the night.

While the team did not come out with the results they were looking for, things were not all bad.

“Tonight may not have been the typical senior night, but I am so thankful for what the girls did to make me a part of it. It shows me we are a true family,” said Piccolo. “I am proud of my girls for the fight they put up and this game will not define our season. While it does hurt now, we still have a chance to make a statement.”

Sadly the game ended with a score of 4-1, but despite the defeat the girls are just focusing on the positives. While the NVL season is coming to a close, the team does believe they have a good shot at games in the future and will continue to have a positive outlook.

 

Photo Credit- Carla Piccolo