Rams Enjoy Solid First Season with Roslonek
The Old Saybrook girls’ soccer team took a major step forward in its first season with Head Coach Steve Roslonek this fall. The Rams posted their first winning record in five years by going 8-6-6 overall and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Class S State Tournament in 2021.
“It was a great year for the Lady Rams,” Coach Roslonek said. “Our team was competitive in every contest, even the close contests that we lost. The program has been gaining momentum over the last couple of years, and it paid off with results this season.”
Old Saybrook finished with record of 6-4-6 for the regular season this year. Coach Roslonek was most proud of his squad for earning draws against Cromwell, Old Lyme, and Morgan, which are all top teams in the Shoreline Conference.
Old Saybrook was the No. 6 seed in the Shoreline Conference Tournament and took a 2-0 loss to Old Lyme in the quarterfinal round. The Rams then entered the Class S State Tournament as the No. 19 seed and won their first two games to make it to the quarterfinals. Old Saybrook earned a 6-0 win over No. 14 Ellis Tech and then pulled off a 1-0 upset against No. 3 St. Bernard to reach the quarters, where the team took a 1-0 overtime loss versus No. 6 Somers.
“This was the first time the team qualified for the State Tournament in many years,” said Coach Roslonek. “We were able to win our first two games and ultimately lost a hard-fought, 1-0 battle in overtime to Somers in the quarterfinals.”
Coach Roslonek felt that the Rams made their biggest statement of the season with their 1-0 road victory over St. Bernard in the second round of the state tourney.
“Our win against St. Bernard the culmination of a season of hard work, determination, and teamwork,” Roslonek said. “I was so happy for the girls to see them earn that victory.”
Old Saybrook was led by senior captains Lily Cody, Bella LaMotte, and Molly Nygard this season. The Rams’ senior class also featured Anna Brodeur, Ella Hagelston, Katie Capuano, Cassie Johnson, and goalie Sophia Barker.
Cody scored 9 goals and had 8 assists on her way to making the All-Shoreline Conference First Team and the All-State Team for Old Saybrook. Hagelston netted 8 goals to go with 5 assists on the year.
Junior Allie LaMotte earned All-Shoreline Conference Second Team honors for the Rams this season. Old Saybrook’s junior class also included goalkeeper Abby Colella, along with Hannah McKeown, Juliette Condulis, Avery Rueckert, Katelin Brady, and Elizabeth Ryan.
Old Saybrook’s sophomore corps featured Alex Benni, Kelly Walsh, Alexandra Ling, Scarlett Pauloski, and Lauren Dobratz. The freshmen on the team were Talia Bauer, Breleigh Cooke, Gretchen Kawecki, and Kylie Lake.
Coach Roslonek felt pleased to see everyone on his roster stay on the same page and work toward success as a unified group this fall.
“While in every game there were standout moments from specific players, the success that we had this season came from the team working together, for each other. There are great things that I can say about the skill and character of every one of our players, both on the field and coming off the bench,” said Roslonek. “One of our unsung heroes this season was junior Elizabeth Ryan. As our attacking center midfielder, she was the controller through who most of our play developed. She is a very smart and aware player, and it seemed that every game she was able to play with her fellow midfielders.”
When all was said and done, Roslonek enjoyed his first season of coaching soccer at the varsity level. Roslonek had plenty of positive takeaways from Old Saybrook’s successful campaign.
“I helped out with the JV team last year, but besides that, this was my first experience coaching varsity, so there is a long list of things that I learned this year,” Roslonek said. “So many people, from the administration to other Saybrook fall sports coaches and previous coaches of the team, along with parents and community members, were very supportive and helpful. It was an important season for me to gauge the potential of the team and the program.”
Coach Roslonek said that Old Saybrook will have a talented and motivated group of players returning for next season. Roslonek wants the Rams to follow up this year’s success by taking things a few steps further in 2022.
“I would like to see our team build upon the small and large successes from this year and make an even bigger splash in the conference next season,” said Roslonek. “If we can focus on progress, play with the same heart, and continue working as a cohesive unit, I believe we can put together an even more impressive season to remember.”