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10/27/2016 12:00 AMMatt Iovanne plays soccer and baseball at North Haven High School and he takes pride in being a leader both on and off the field in each sport. As a member of the Indians’ boys’ soccer squad, Matt was named one of the team’s captains for the fall season and he’s loved performing in that esteemed role.
“I was very honored to be elected as a captain. As long as I get a chance to lead and set an example for the younger guys, I’m happy,” says Matt. “My favorite thing about being a captain for this team is that I try to stretch myself out to all my teammates as much as I can. I want to be their friend. Whether they have a problem in our out of school, on or off the field, I enjoy helping them.”
Head Coach Federico Fiondella understands that it’s been a tough year for the Indians in the win-loss column, although he’s proud of Matt for how the senior captain has approached this season while guiding such a young club.
“It’s been a tough year. We have a lot of young players, but Matt is overall just a good kid. He’s very respectful and is a ‘Yes, coach’ type of guy,” says Fiondella. “He’s good for the team and it’s good for his teammates to recognize that. He gets the job done, so I give a lot of thanks to him as a captain for being so positive this year.”
Matt predominately plays outside midfielder for the Indians. It’s a position that allows Matt to put his passing skills on display.
“I love being on both ends of the ball. I always like moving up with possession, but I grew up playing defense if needed, so I can do both,” says Matt. “Passing is my best asset of the game. I’m really good at finding other players on the team. When I receive the ball, I’m always looking to pass to another player. I try not to be selfish.”
Coach Fiondella says that crisp passing has been an important part of Matt’s game ever since he joined the boys’ soccer team. As a result, Matt is able to substantially help the Indians’ offense from the flank.
“What he tends to do on the flank, we want our forwards to release to the corner of the field, and he always finds them in that area,” says Fiondella. “He does a good job. He offers support to the player once they received it and he does that very well. It’s one of his best qualities.”
During the spring, Matt is a second baseman in North Haven’s baseball program. He’s aiming to be a leader for the Indians in that sport, too, and believes that playing in the middle infield gives him an opportunity to do so.
“As an older player, I’ll try to be a leader as much as I can,” says Matt, who played for North Haven’s Junior Legion baseball team this summer. “I’ve mostly been an infielder for most of my baseball life. At second, that’s where I feel comfortable. It’s my home when I play baseball and you’re the center of the game, so you have to be on at all times.”
Matt believes that the stamina he’s developed from playing soccer helps him keep his motor running on the baseball diamond.
“I’m pretty even, but I’m a better defensive player,” says Matt. “Running around in soccer isn’t just endurance. It’s little sprinting bursts, as well, which helps with my speed around the bases and agility to get to ground balls, too.”
With Matt’s North Haven soccer career coming to a close, he knows that’s given it his all and appreciates what his teammates and coaches in both sports have provided him through the years.
“It’s been nothing but fun. It’s been lot of fun to be a part of the North Haven athletics family,” says Matt. “I’d like to say thanks to all my coaches for all they’ve done for me.”