Recap And Upcoming Games

     This season has been a season of growth for the Gaelettes and it seems we are still growing. Our record is now 4-6-3 and we've got 3 games left to the end of the regular season. All of these upcoming games are challenges to face, as they are against some of our top competitors. In the past games we've played, we had instensity but also minor errors. There was, of course, one game where we lacked the drive we generally found in ourselves and it showed on the field. However, we luckily came out victorious in the game. We are meeting back up with Cheshire at our home field and there is no doubt in my mind we can regain the intensity we've had all season.

     Above is the Gaelettes half-time cheer before returning to the field at Sheehan High School and Samantha Hartmayer scoring a beautiful goal from a free kick. Both games were very important to us Gaelettes recently. Though we lost to Guilford, we ended up scoring two goals against them. This is an improvement from the beginning of the season when we met them at their home field. This time we picked up our intensity and level of play, narrowly losing by 1 goal. Then in our game against Sheehan we had many shots on goal, but could only get 1 in the net; though that's all we needed to come out with a victory of 1-0.

 

     The next two weeks are certianly going to be important ones for us Gaelettes, as the season comes to a close, it is time to put all the work we did at practice and as a team out on the field. Endless practices and bus rides have all led to these last couple games. And knowing my team, we wouldn't let all of that go to waste. I'm not saying we'll win, but we will try our hardest and put our all into every game to get the chance to come out on top. And that's just the Gaelette way.

 

2 Wins, 1 Loss and Effort Throughout



Half-time at Gilford

     The previous week had its highlights, both Monday and Fridays games were wins. Against Sheenan we won by the small sliver of 1-0 and then against Lymen Hall which ended in a 6-1 victory. And its lowlights, losing on Wednesday to Gilford 0-3. But luckily we Gaelettes put hard work into every minute. Soccer is, of course, counted on wins and losses which generally translates to which team is the most talented, has a deep roster of players and the heart to carry them through tough games to continue to fight another day.This week, starting tomorrow, we have some very big games on our hands.

     Tomorrow is another division rival and one of the feared names in any SCC sport. Cheshire, always being a strong team and having many talented players. They have a new coach, who I personally was lucky enough to have in the off season, so I can attest to his ability to mold and help players. I also know some of the Cheshire soccer players and to say they are anything but wonderfully talented athletes would be a lie. Which is why it should be a great game, both teams are no doubt prepared to leave it all out on the field. So, it will definetly be interesting to see which one comes out on top.

Shelton vs Amity 9/20/13

          This week we Gaelettes played our first game against one of our divsion rivals. Like every rivalry, it goes back years and stretches across many different sports. To say we were motivated for the game was an understatement. We were estactic to play coming off the bus and onto the field, but at the same time we were serious. Though we were missing two center backs, we felt prepaired.
       
         We lost 0-2. Though this loss was not caused by a lack of effort or unwillingness to work together as a team. We played a hard 80 minutes of soccer, connecting passes and making runs. Unfortunately when the clock ran out of time the score did not relfect how I, and the coaches, felt we played. This was our best game of the season so far, simply because we were a unified team with every single person playing their hardest. We had many chances for goals, though they were all saved by Amity's goalie Zoie Reed, who has the best punts I've ever seen. Amity, which has always been a strong team, played very well, coming out with the win.

           To me, this loss is not something to be bitter about. Many girls on my team and Amity's played a great game. This game should not be looked back on simply for the score, but it should be seen as the Gaelette's first real step towards a successful season. The score, of course, is an unfortunate part of the outcome, but we will continue to work together and play as a team. In the end of the season we will meet Amity once again at our home field and we will bring back the intensity of yesterday's game.

Back to High School Soccer


 


Half-time during the first home game at the SHS turf

             Now that summer is over  and school is back in full swing, sports are gaining momentum. The week is filled with games and practices. The weekends are no exception, with early morning Saturday sessions. Though some people might look at this as tiring, I find it to be my favorite time of the year. The practices are bareable and are all worth it for the games.

          My team comes together and works our hearts out for all 80 minutes with the support of our peers and parents cheering for us on the sideline. These games are what we've spent countless hour preparing for, throughout the summer in conditoning camp and during the tryouts, which I personally believe to be the most stressful thing I've ever had to go through. But once you walk onto that turf with the lights shining down, you know it was worth all the hours of preparation involved. Now that soccer is back in season for SHS, I personally look forward to every practice, and game, I have with the team I love.