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02/13/2019 11:00 PMAndrea Basilicato saw a tremendous amount of success during her tenure with the Guilford girls’ soccer squad. That winning feeling has carried over to the collegiate level for Andrea, who can now add the achievement of being a national champion to her résumé.
Andrea is a sophomore who competes for the women’s soccer team at the University of Bridgeport. Prior to that, she played four years of soccer at Guilford, helping the Indians win SCC titles in 2013 and 2014, as well as the Class L state crown in 2013. Along the way, Andrea was a two-time All-SCC Hammonasset Division selection who also made the All-SCC First Team as a senior, before graduating in 2017.
Last fall, Andrea went on another incredible championship run with her new club. The sophomore forward scored six goals while guiding Bridgeport to a record of 20-4-1 in a campaign that culminated with the Purple Knights claiming their first national title. Bridgeport won the NCAA Division II national championship by earning a 1-0 victory over top-seeded and previously undefeated Grand Valley State University in the final.
“We played them earlier in the year and lost 6-0. From then, we worked hard and together. We had a good vibe together, and it was a crazy experience,” says Andrea. “I never expected this, but now when you look back on it, how could we not win it? Everyone on this team had their own role.”
Andrea has played the forward position throughout her soccer career. As a swift striker, Andrea embraces the heat of the spotlight while being targeted as a top offensive threat by the opposition.
“I love having the ball, and I love to attack. It’s fun, because I get to be part of the team’s success, and I like the pressure of being counted on,” Andrea says. “I’ve always been a forward, and it’s exhilarating to play.”
The pace of play definitely picked up when Andrea advanced to the NCAA tier of the turf. Andrea has been building up her skills while competing alongside a group of teammates who bring a wide variety of abilities to the Purple Knights.
“College soccer is much quicker, but it’s fun, because you are surrounded by so many talented players, so it makes you step up your game,” says Andrea. “The skill and technique you need is also a lot greater here.”
Andrea is double majoring in human services and psychology at Bridgeport. She has a lot on her plate as she balances the ball with the books. However, Andrea finds a way to make it work, just like she did in Guilford.
“I was busy in high school, too, with doing three sports, but I enjoy being busy,” says Andrea, who also competed for the indoor and outdoor track teams at Guilford. “It’s tough to balance it all in college, because you are traveling to games all the time, but the professors are understanding. Time management in high school helped me here.”
Guilford girls’ soccer Head Coach Scott McMahon knew that Andrea was going to be a special player from the first moment she ran on the field as a seven year-old. McMahon is proud of Andrea for following up her decorated high school career by making an instant impact on the collegiate scene.
“Her freshman year, we had a deep varsity roster, but we needed her at tournament time due to injuries. In her first game and first shift against Farmington in states, she scored a goal. She then had an assist in the state final,” McMahon says. “Over the next three seasons, she added 32 goals and 16 assists, but more importantly, she represented a love and dedication to the game for our program. She was a championship player, and to see her continue that success at Bridgeport seems totally appropriate.”
Andrea feels thankful for everyone who supported her during those four formative years with the Indians. Andrea knows that all the valuable lessons she learned in Guilford are playing a major role in her success at the next level.
“I’ve been blessed with good coaches throughout my life. My family and friends also encouraged me,” Andrea says. “Guilford High School helped me a lot. I came to college with a lot of confidence because of my time there.”