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12/08/2019 11:00 PMThe East Haven girls’ soccer team continued its positive momentum from a season ago during the 2019 campaign. In Jake Hackett’s third year as head coach, the Yellowjackets qualified for the Class L State Tournament for the second-straight season, while finishing with an overall record of 7-7-3.
“We made it to states last year, which was a good thing, and we wanted to make it again,” said Hackett. “Last year, we surprised a lot of people, but didn’t play as tough of a schedule. To come out this year and have a winning season while playing tougher teams—this is progression.”
Hackett was especially impressed with what the Easties achieved considering that they fielded one of the youngest clubs in the Southern Connecticut Conference. Senior captain Christina Fazzino was the lone senior on the varsity field at the start of the season. First-year seniors Edith Kwadan-Naab, Kaylee Vollano, and Britany Correa made an impact for the team as the campaign went on.
“We were mostly young players. Lots of sophomores, juniors, and freshmen were thrown in headfirst. Against the competition we faced, they all did exceptional work this year,” Hackett said. “We’re continuing to grow as a program each year, so I’m happy with what is going on. We try to get better every day on the field, and I think we’re improving every practice, every game, and every season.”
East Haven didn’t have a clear path to the playoffs after struggling through its first seven games of the year. The Yellowjackets started off with a record of 1-4-2, but turned it on to go 6-2-1 down the stretch to make states.
“We played a lot of close games early, because we struggled offensively off the bat. We played well, but weren’t finding the net. I kept saying to the girls, ‘It takes time. It’s going to happen,’” said Hackett. “We talked before the North Branford and Hamden games about having defining moments. If you can have defining performances, that’s the type of thing I need you to give.”
Coach Hackett’s squad delivered by winning both of those matchups. East Haven notched a 3-2 home victory versus Hamden on Oct. 4 and then prevailed at North Branford by a 4-1 score on Oct. 8 to begin its run.
“Against North Branford, [sophomore] Emily Pycela was exceptional. She set up her teammates to do all kinds of amazing things. [Freshman] Gianna Mendez scored three goals and set up the fourth. It was special,” Hackett said. “[Junior captain] Bella Pilato made plays against Hamden. It was a turning point, because people realized we’re stepping up and we can do this. At the end of the season, that was the soccer we knew we could play. We just had to get everything together. That’s the quality of players we have.”
Last year, East Haven’s offense ran through Pilato and Emily Pycela as the duo combined for most of team’s goals. Things were more balanced for the Yellowjackets this fall, leading to even more success on the offensive end of the pitch.
“Every team in the SCC knows about Emily. She’s that kind of striker where, if you leave her unattended, she’s going to score goals. I think teams keyed in on her, but she was still able to cause problems by putting her teammates in attacking places,” said Hackett. “Pilato’s passing ability on set pieces is extremely special, and she has a great ability to score from distance. Gianna’s ability to take people on really caused a lot of problems for teams. We spread the ball around more this year, which shows we’re able to do things a lot better. We were scoring in different ways, because we were able to attack as a team.”
East Haven’s defense has been a strength in recent years. While a few players missed some time this season, Coach Hackett still felt that the group played exceptionally well once again. Junior captain Aimee DiVerniero and sophomore Emily Mazzucco proved a formidable center back duo with Fazzino and sophomores Kate Pycela, Alex Castro, and Jocelyn Lucero rounding out the unit on the outside.
“Emily Mazzucco stepped up into the center back role this year and was able to produce some great performances. She was a linchpin for us. She helped keep things organized, along with the leadership of Aimee,” Hackett said. “The girls put in a lot of work to keep the back line the foundation it has always been, which allowed our offensive weapons to attack more. Those four-to-six players, along with a goalkeeper like [junior] Angelina Munoz, is a tough thing to break down.”
Fazzino and Lucero were primarily midfielders when all four defenders were healthy, and Hackett said they did a great job bouncing between both roles. Pilato was East Haven’s center midfielder, and Mendez played an attacking mid position. Freshman Sydney Herard was a sound defensive midfielder, while Lucero, Fazzino, sophomore Emma Szewc, and freshman Gabby Gaetano carved out roles as outside midfielders.
“Gianna and Syndey, the two of them stepped into varsity roles right away and gave exceptional performances all year long,” said Hackett. “Our wide players matured as the season went on. They helped provide our offense with different looks. I think our midfield worked hard and played well.”
Pilato earned All-SCC First Team honors for East Haven this season. She was also named the Yellowjackets’ Most Valuable Player. Pycela made the All-SCC Second Team and was selected as East Haven’s Offensive Player of the Year. Mazzucco was All-SCC Second Team and also the Easties’ Defensive Player of the Year.
Munoz also garnered All-SCC Second Team accolades, in addition to receiving East Haven’s Coaches’ Award. Mendez was the team’s Rookie of the Year, and Fazzino took home the Sportsmanship Award.
Hackett says the contributions from Fazzino and her fellow seniors were instrumental during the 2019 season. At the same time, the coach feels enthusiastic about the future of East Haven girls’ soccer with the group of players he has returning in 2020.
“Positions can be replaced, but people can’t, especially Christina, being the only member of her class for three years. What she accomplished as a leader is special, and she’ll be missed by the program. The other three are all great kids and had a positive impact on the program and will all be missed,” Hackett said. “It’s exciting going forward as we continue to press and grow as a team. With the work the girls put in day in and day out, we keep going. Hopefully, next year, we have another successful season. If the girls continue to put the work in, we’ll continue to grow.”
From the Sidelines
The East Haven girls’ soccer team’s roster included senior captain Christina Fazzino; fellow seniors Edith Kwadan-Naab, Britany Correa, and Kayle Vollano; junior captains Aimee DiVerniero and Bella Pilato; fellow juniors Alyssa Buckley, Angelina Munoz, Shelly Moreno, and Teal Graziano; sophomores Emily Mazzucco, Kate Pycela, Emily Pycela, Melissa Zabala, Emma Szwec, Catherine Lopez, Jocelyn Lucero, Anajha Nelson, Alex Castro, and Andrea Erazo; and freshmen Sydney Herard, Mia Flores-Soto, Gabby Gaetano, Gianna Mendez, and Julia Crisci.
Jake Hackett finished his third season as East Haven’s head coach. The Yellowjackets’ assistant coach is Jules Petrucelli.
East Haven posted a record of 7-6-3 during the regular season. The Easties picked up two victories against Wilbur Cross (3-1 and 2-1) and Hamden (3-2 and 4-1), along with one win apiece versus North Branford (4-1), West Haven (1-0), and Branford (2-1). East Haven earned ties with North Branford (1-1), West Haven (0-0), and Hand (0-0). The Yellowjackets took a pair of losses to Foran (1-0 and 4-1) and Cheshire (1-0 and 3-1) and one loss to Hand (3-0) and Branford (2-0). East Haven also finished with a mark of 3-3-2 in the SCC Housatonic Division by virtue of its results versus Cheshire, West Haven, Hand, and Wilbur Cross.
The Yellowjackets were the No. 21 seed in the Class L State Tournament. East Haven took an 3-0 defeat at No. 12 seed Woodstock Academy in the first round of the tournament to finish at 7-7-3 overall.