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Woodland Girls Soccer: Road to NVLs

After last year’s disappointment and loss, the Woodland Girls Soccer team has a comeback plan to win NVLs this season. The coaches and players regret how underwhelming the final score was. This year, everyone is ready to step up their game and come back stronger than ever in hopes to take home the championship title in November. 

With a record of 9-4-5 last season, Woodland was expected to win the entire championship. The girls ultimately believed that they could beat each team throughout the tournament, especially since they had originally tied their biggest competitor, Watertown. Although this was early in the season, the girls proved that they were able to hold their own against their rivals. In the tournament later on, the Woodland girls were unfortunately defeated in the semifinal round by this same team. With a burning passion to come back stronger than ever, Woodland set a plan to train harder than they ever have before. [pullquote] “I think summer league is a perfect way for the team to get acclimated to each other so that we are not coming in unprepared for what is to come,” says Jillian Barbarito.[/pullquote]

The girls began their training back in March. For the players who were not currently participating in a spring sport, weightlifting was the first step to getting back in shape. The assistant coach for the Woodland Girls Soccer team, Jess Moffo, stayed after school with the girls and helped them get stronger and more fit. They lifted throughout the summer and into the beginning of the season. The girls also participated in an intense CrossFit program twice a week for six weeks. Then, it was time for the team to start Summer League. 

Summer League is a way for high school soccer teams across Connecticut to play against each other in scrimmages. This takes place throughout the months of July and August.

 “I think summer league is a perfect way for the team to get acclimated to each other so that we are not coming in unprepared for what is to come,” says Jillian Barbarito, a senior player. Although Barbarito is injured this season, she still believes that the team has the heart to win the championship.

Now, as the girls continue to practice their skills, they plan to take home the championship title when it comes to be tournament time. On September 12th, they played their first game of the season, ending with a score of 9-0, dominating Sacred Heart. Hopefully, the players will continue to have a good turnout against other schools throughout the next two months, especially against teams such as Watertown, Holy Cross, and Naugatuck, their biggest competitors. Hopefully, their hard work will pay off when it comes to be tournament time in October.