CPS soccer squads finish strong in their first season
BY LINDAWILLIAMS
It was a fitting way to end the season for the newly minted CPS boys' and girls' soccer teams last Friday with both teams winning convincingly against the Lighthouse Charter School. The boys' team finished with a 7-3 victory before a home crowd. Jose Ramirez, a raw talent at the beginning of the season, shone on the field and scored two goals and tallied three assists. Matt Kopp added two and Luke Daniels and Emil Bender had one each. Danny LeMaitre scored off a penalty kick and Henry Fee had a goal and an assist.

The squad finished the season with an outstanding record of 6-2-0, with the two losses coming against Mattacheese Middle School. First year coach, Peter Wright, was encouraged about the future of the middle school program and the team. "It was quality soccer and I have taught this team all season about possession soccer and controlling the rhythm and tempo of the game and they did it at the end of the season beautifully."

"We started out slow, not in shape and not necessarily playing well together as a team." However, Wright added that in the last game "it all came together with everybody playing really well. They should be successful next spring and fall." Wright felt that conditioning made the difference and concentrated on that area as well as teaching the boys how to communicate in the language of soccer on the field. "It was a struggle getting the two groups of players to gel as a

team as each group had played separately together for a while and finding the right combination was key." Wright enjoyed his season with the team but it will be his last. Wright is heading off Island to take a job coaching the varsity girls' team at Our Lady of Mercy in Rochester, NY, a team which has won 24 state championships. He will also work for the Rochester Raging Rhino professional soccer team in the marketing and PR department.

With the 3-1 win, the CPS girls' soccer team ended the season with an impressive record of 5-2-0, having also lost, like the boys' team, to Mattacheese both times. Samantha Lockley, Sabrina Dawson, who had a collision with the keeper, and Maddie Malenfont combined for the three goals. The coaches also praised Lucy McGowan's aggressive

play in midfield and Ruby Fee's ability to switch back and forth from defense to offense during the game.

"It was fun and the girls played well together", Coach Francine Casullo said when talking about the past season. "You can tell this squad has been playing together for a long time and they have a great relationship together on and off the field." The two coaches were "very pleased with the girls and we enjoyed it and want to do it again next season."

Coach Theresa Friguglietti said "we learned a lot about team work and how we work together as a coaching unit and as a unit with the girls". They encouraged the girls to play winter ball and will be following up with them during the winter and certainly in the spring travel program.

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