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10/18/2021 12:00 AMSteve Roslonek is in his first year as head coach of the Old Saybrook girls’ soccer team, and he feels pleased with how the Rams are performing during the 2021 campaign. Old Saybrook has a record of 5-4-3 heading into the home stretch of the regular season and is looking to make a run in both Shorelines and states this year.
Old Saybrook notched a win and a tie between its three games last week. The Rams claimed a 7-0 victory over North Branford, played Coginchaug to a 1-1 draw, and then took a 3-0 loss against East Lyme.
Overall, Coach Roslonek said that it’s been a terrific experience working with Old Saybrook’s players during his debut campaign as the Rams’ head coach.
“I’m really pleased and impressed with how the team is playing, and I’m excited about our prospects as we head into the final two weeks of the regular season,” said Roslonek. “We’ve had some ups and downs this season, but all in all, we are making good, consistent progress every week toward our potential.”
Old Saybrook is being led by senior captains Lily Cody, Molly Nygard, and Bella LaMotte this season. LaMotte and Nygard man the midfield for the Rams, while Cody creates constant pressure on the attack as a forward for Coach Roslonek’s squad.
“They are doing a great job of leading the team and helping with the transition to a new coaching staff,” Roslonek said of his captains. “Bella was playing some of her best soccer at center midfield before an injury sidelined her. Lily is a fierce and uniquely talented forward who, along with fellow senior Ella Hagelston, puts constant pressure on every opposing defense. Molly plays the most physically demanding position of outside midfield and works tirelessly, getting up and down the field to support both the attack and recovery.”
Old Saybrook started off last week by claiming a 7-0 home victory against North Branford on Oct. 11. Sophomore Lauren Dobratz, junior Abby Colella, Hagelston, junior Allie LaMotte, junior Avery Rueckert, Nygard, and senior Sophia Barker all scored a goal for the Rams in the win. Colella and Barker combined for a clean sheet by each playing a scoreless half in net, in addition to their contributions on the field.
Coach Roslonek is happy with the performance of the Rams’ two goalkeepers this season. Roslonek added that Old Saybrook has been getting excellent play from its center midfield trio of juniors Elizabeth Ryan, Allie LaMotte, and Katie Brady.
“Our center midfield is held together by three very talented juniors. With their passing and receiving, they combine to create some beautiful soccer in the middle,” said Roslonek. “I also can’t say enough about Sophia Barker and Abby Colella. They have been splitting time in the keeper role this season, many times each playing one half of the same game. It’s an unusual setup for a high school team, but they have handled the role with tremendous maturity and character.”
Three days after defeating North Branford, Old Saybrook traveled to Durham to face Coginchaug and battled the Blue Devils to a 1-1 stalemate. Hagelston scored the lone goal for Old Saybrook on an assist by Allie LaMotte. By earning the draw versus Coginchaug, the Rams punched their ticket into the Class S State Tournament.
“The girls are proving to be adept at playing a controlled style of possession soccer, and it’s exciting to see them play with confidence and effectiveness even against some tough competition,” Roslonek said. “Most of the conference games this year have been 80-minute battles. With our last hard-fought tie versus a strong Coginchaug side, we qualified for the state tournament.”
The following day, Old Saybrook hosted East Lyme and took a 3-0 defeat. With four regular-season games remaining, Coach Roslonek wants to see the Rams continue to improve down the stretch and then make some headlines in the playoffs.
“I’m excited to see what we can do in the state tournament,” said Roslonek. “The more that I see our girls play together, work together, fight for each other—the more I’m convinced that we can compete with any team in the state.”
Old Saybrook’s roster for the 2021 season features senior captains Molly Nygard, Lily Cody, and Bella LaMotte; seniors Anna Brodeur, Ella Hagelston, Katie Capuano, Cassie Johnson, and Sophia Barker; juniors Abby Colella, Hannah McKeown, Juliette Condulis, Allie LaMotte, Avery Rueckert, Kate Brady, Elizabeth Ryan, and Emily Carmichael; sophomores Kelly Walsh, Alexandra Ling, Scarlett Pauloski, and Lauren Dobratz; and freshmen Talia Bauer, Breleigh Cooke, Gretchen Kawecki, Ellie Pennington, and Kylie Lake.