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11/04/2021 12:00 AMMia Forti is a supreme finisher on the soccer pitch. A senior forward for the Hand girls’ soccer squad, Mia simply knows how to get the job done when she’s presented with an opportunity to score.
Mia is an integral part of a Tigers’ team that has a record of 9-4-3 as it enters the postseason. Mia has scored 12 goals to go with four assists for Hand thus far this year.
Mia has been playing soccer since she was four years old. Mia’s parents were both athletes and, while she tried out several different sports as a youngster, Mia knew that soccer was the right one for her.
“When they signed me up for soccer, I fell in love with the game at a very young age,” says Mia. “My favorite aspect of the game is that there are always things to improve on and constantly a new challenge to take on, whether it be working on a new skill, connecting as a team, or facing tough and competitive opponents in games.”
Head Coach Rob McConville says that Mia is bringing focus and determination to his team as a senior. McConville knows that Mia has been instrumental in the Tigers’ success with her performance at the forward position.
“Since the first day of preseason, Mia has been on a mission to make a big impression in her last year. She works tirelessly in games, creating dangerous attacks, but also providing the defense with support,” McConville says. “Mia is a true forward in that she just figures out a way to find the back of the net. She has scored several big goals for us in crucial games.”
Mia says that it took the Tigers some time to find their footing with Coach McConville after he took the helm of the program last year. However, Mia feels pleased that Hand has found its form and is seeing better results on the field in 2021.
“We have come a long way this year,” says Mia. “Last year, Coach McConville was a new coach for the team. We spent the year getting to know him, his style and type of play, expectations, and overall coaching style. Since this time, we have built a strong relationship with open communication and, as a result, have settled in as a team this year.”
On the heels of a strong regular season, Mia is looking for the Tigers to do some damage in the upcoming Class L State Tournament.
“My expectations all year have been to do my part to help the team get better every day and win,” Mia says. “We have been working hard, playing some solid soccer lately, and I think we are peaking at the right time to make a good run in the postseason.”
Mia has predominately focused on soccer as her main sport since she started high school. Mia also played basketball, softball, and lacrosse while growing up, but soccer was one sport that truly stuck with her.
“I continue to work on my game,” says Mia. “I play club soccer for Connecticut Football Club, so I’m playing year-round, which enables me to improve my technical skills and stay sharp on the ball in the offseason.”
Aside from playing sports, Mia likes to spend time with her family and friends. Mia is also a CIAC Connecticut Class Act Leadership and Sportsmanship Conference selection who achieved high honors in all nine trimesters of her time at Daniel Hand High School.
“I mostly enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love the outdoors, beach, boating, and traveling,” Mia says. “I also like to stay active and work on fitness in the gym. I like running and I am an avid skier.”