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12/19/2017 11:00 PMRobyn Vuilleumier loves patrolling all ends of the soccer field, while making moves that help work the ball into the opponent’s zone and, ultimately, in the net. As a member of the girls’ soccer team at Morgan, Robyn played a position that was tailor-made for her passion on the pitch as she suited up at midfielder for the Huskies.
Robyn, who recently completed her high school career, started with soccer at the park and rec level before playing for Eliot Middle School and also competing in the travel and South Central Premier ranks. This fall, Robyn was a senior captain for the Huskies, and she went out on a high note by notching four goals with six assists to help them post 15 victories on her way to earning All-Shoreline Conference Honorable Mention. Along the way, Robyn netted a goal in the penalty-kick session when Morgan avenged its loss to North Branford in the Shoreline Tournament by defeating league champion North Branford in the second round of the Class M State Tournament.
“For many soccer players, they say the best joy is scoring goals, but as a midfielder, I find joy in setting and starting the plays that lead to goals. I like placing and setting passes, as well,” says Robyn. “So much responsibility with getting back and going forward comes with playing midfielder. You want to score the goal, but also be there for your defenders. I try to create plays and help the offense and defense in the best ways possible.”
First-year Head Coach Steve Sullivan appreciates the way Robyn handled her double duties. Sullivan says that Robyn had a career year as a senior and adds that she complemented her athletic abilities by proving an exemplary leader.
“Robyn has been a stalwart for the varsity at midfield throughout her career, but brought it to a new level this season. Her passion and knowledge for the game, along with her leadership skills, helped direct our team through a difficult schedule,” says Sullivan. “With Robyn in a central midfield position, she was able to generate much of our offensive flow and help in our defensive efforts. As one of the captains of our team, Robyn helped to organize much of the fundraising efforts for the entire team. She was very involved in the everyday workings of the team and was a great asset to the coaching staff. She is one of those players that has a tremendous love for the game and being part of a team.”
Regarding the win over North Branford in states, Robyn says that she and her fellow Huskies felt the sting of their 4-1 defeat to the T-Birds in the Shoreline semis the previous week and used it to ignite a fire heading into the rematch. After the two teams were tied through regulation and overtime, Morgan got the win by taking the penalty-kick session 3-1 with Robyn converting a crucial PK.
“I remember the loss to them in Shorelines, and I was motivated by that. I got in a mindset and zone that I wanted to change the outcome this time. We wanted to change the perception everyone had on Morgan girls’ soccer that we were the underdog,” says Robyn, who’s also a member of Morgan’s fencing program. “Coach Sullivan told me during the game we would play a more defensive mindset. I remember my main goal was to be there for every 50-50 ball. We were tied at the half, and I remember thinking we had it and were playing as a unit. We got down to PKs, and I remember feeling at peace and that whatever happens is what happens. I went into my kick calm and didn’t think it would go in, and I was so proud of my team. We left it all out there.”
Early on in her Huskies’ tenure, Robyn admits that she was a bit too critical of herself and lacked confidence. However, Robyn’s belief in her abilities grew as the years went by, and her confidence grew that much more when she was named one of Morgan’s captains.
“As a freshman, my confidence was low, and I would critique myself. Going into this year as a captain, I was thinking that my mentality had to change,” Robyn says. “I started to have more confidence in my decisions, and I became more vocal. The main change for me was my confidence.”
As she looks back on her time with Morgan girls’ soccer, Robyn likes how she became part of a family by going to battle alongside the same athletes day after day and year after year.
“Morgan has been different than the other teams I’ve been on. I didn’t know many of the players on those other teams. I spent four years here with a lot of the same group of kids,” says Robyn. “I grew up with the sophomores, juniors, and seniors. It made you feel closer as a team, and you got to know everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, like who was quicker on their feet or better at settling a ball in the air. We grew as a team, and it showed in that North Branford game. A good part about high school soccer is that you grow as a team and in school through the game.”