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09/15/2019 12:00 AMAfter surprising some people by finishing with a record of 7-7-3 last year, the East Haven girls’ soccer team is looking to continue its momentum and add some more tallies to the win column in 2019. Despite having a tough SCC schedule, third-year Head Coach Jake Hackett and the Yellowjackets want to put together a strong showing against their conference competition this fall.
“Last year, for a while, we did a good job of proving we can compete with the tougher schools in our division. Our goal is to the make the SCC Tournament, make a run in Class L, and win if we can. That’s what we’re looking to do,” Hackett said. “Our big goal is to qualify for the SCC Tournament. So, dodging some teams in the regular season is fine, but we want to play the tough teams, and we want to win. We’re hungry, and we have the right people to do it.”
Christina Fazzino is East Haven’s only returning senior and will serve as a captain alongside juniors Aimee DiVerniero and Bella Pilato. That trio, along with some other juniors who have two years of varsity experience, will be looked upon to lead the Yellowjackets. East Haven is also relying on leadership from junior goalie Angelina Munoz, who’s in her third season as the starting keeper.
“I think Christina is going to do a great job of a senior leader for us. Bella and Aimee, even as younger players, are leaders in the program with a lot of experience. Angelina Munoz is a key part of our team as our starter in goal for us since she was a freshman,” said Hackett. “They’ve all stepped up really well and showed themselves as leaders. They’ve taken some of the younger players under their wing, so I’m very happy with the leadership I have.”
Munoz played a nice game when East Haven started its season by earning a 1-1 draw versus North Branford on its home field on Sept. 13. Munoz made eight saves for the Yellowjackets in the tie.
“North Branford is always tough. They’re a tough team outside the SCC, and it’s always a tight match,” Coach Hackett said. “We left a lot of shots on the field, but North Branford played tough defense the whole game, and their keeper made good saves. It’s a game we wanted to win, but a draw is alright.”
Sophomore Jocelyn Lucero scored the lone goal of the game for the Easties. Sophomore Emily Pycela had the assist.
“We picked the ball up defensively, worked it up, and our striker [Pycela] was able to engage the back line. We made a few good passes atop the 18-yard box, dropped it back to Jocelyn, and she made a great strike from 25 yards out into the top corner,” Hackett said. “It was a great sequence and finish. It was a good team goal.”
In East Haven’s formation, Pycela is the lone striker up top. She scored nine goals and had two assists as a freshman. Coach Hackett is looking for his team’s midfielders and wingers to provide support by stepping up into the action when the opportunity presents itself.
“Christina Fazzino, [sophomore] Emma Szwec, Jocelyn, and [freshman] Gabby Gaetano will do well in attacking down the flanks,” Hackett said. “Bella was great last year with seven goals and seven assists. We have good attacking weapons where we need them.”
Hackett knows that he can’t replace someone like Jenna Pane in the midfield, although he believes that Pilato can have another strong year in an expanded role. Along with Pilato, freshmen Sydney Herald and Gianna Mendez will be patrolling the midfield for the Easties this season.
“They will hold the center of the field for us. They have a lot of ability on the ball, so I think we’ll be good there. The work rate for Bella is great, and she has a ton of experience in the middle, so she’ll help them develop,” said Hackett. “Our center midfielders do a great job of distributing the ball. Their passing ability is very strong, and they do a very good job of seeing the field. When they’re all up to speed and have good chemistry, that will lead to success on the field.”
The back line is expected to be a strength for East Haven with DiVerniero leading the unit. Pycela and sophomores Emily Mazzucco and Alex Castro also saw time on defense last year. Coach Hackett feels confident that the Yellowjackets will be fielding a cohesive unit in front of Munoz in goal.
“We have some younger players in the back, but they’re very good players in the back,” said Hackett. “I’m excited to see what they can do as a unit.”
From the Sidelines
The East Haven girls’ soccer team’s roster consists of senior captain Christina Fazzino; fellow senior Britany Correa; junior captains Aimee DiVerniero and Bella Pilato; fellow juniors Alyssa Buckley, Angelina Munoz, and Shelly Moreno; sophomores Emily Mazzucco, Emily Pycela, Kate Pycela, Melissa Zabala, Emma Szewc, Catherine Lopez, Jocelyn Lucero, Anajha Nelson, Alex Castro, and Andrea Erazo; and freshmen Sydney Herald, Mia Flores-Soto, Gabby Gaetano, Gianna Mendez, and Julia Crisci.
Head Coach Jake Hackett is entering his third season at the helm for the East Haven girls’ soccer team. Hackett is assisted by first-year coach Jules Petrucelli, who coaches the JV team.
East Haven is playing in the SCC Housatonic Division with Hand, Cheshire, West Haven, and Cross this season.