NVL girls soccer previews

The NVL put eight teams into the state tournament last season, with Holy Cross advancing to the state semifinals.

Here are team previews for 2016 with information provided by team coaches:

Ansonia

Head coach: Megan Skuret (4th season)

2015: 5-11

Key players: Kaitlyn Sengphilom (All NVL, three-time All State), Emma Rosa, Savanna Viteri

Outlook: Sengphilom is a certified sniper, however, she is out with an ACL injury.

Derby

Head coach: Francisco Salazar (8th season, 8-101-3)

2015: 0-14-2

Key players: Seniors Ashleigh Schlemmer, Annalisa Salazar, Salmira Ahmemulic,

Gia Torres, Alexia Keomixay; Sophomores Blerta Balidemaj, Alyssa Meneo; Freshman Kaitlyn Gerckens.

Outlook: Could things be different for the Raiders? Indeed, thanks to a solid veteran team. Derby will put up Ws.

Coach’s comment: “We have 20-plus players this season, and if they gel we are looking to win more games and be more competitive in the NVL. The league will once again be strong, but with the help of our captains our team will be looking to have a winning season for the first time in Derby High’s history.”

Holy Cross

Head coach: Philip A. Mongelluzzo, Jr. (1st season)

2015: 14-5-2 (Class S semifinalist)

Key players: Seniors Julia Sheetz, Emma Gargano, Hayley Gilmore, Meghan Villano, Katherine Flaherty, Michelina Gagliardi; Juniors Kiley Harnish, Erin Goggin; Sophomores Meghan Diorio, Lauren Raad, Adelisse Padilla, McKenna Ellsworth, Morgan Murray; Freshman Natalie Hodak.

Outlook: The Crusaders are loaded on defense, strong in goal, and have a vast amount of experience. Will Cross score enough goals? Harnish is a top finisher, but talented sophomore Madison Bushka is injured. Cross still seeks that breakthrough victory in the NVL tournament.

Coach’s comment: “Our solid back line mixes in equal parts speed, field vision and intelligence. We are extremely proud of our senior leadership and returning upperclassmen. They have really set the tone for the 2016 season. We have a young squad and expect exciting seasons from our sophomore class. The mix of large and small schools always makes the NVL competitive and exciting. We will look for continued improvement with each passing contest.”

Naugatuck

Head coach: Lisa Mariano (2nd season at Naugatuck, 7th overall)

Naugatuck head coach Lisa Mariano faced off with her former team during their game against Watertown Wednesday at Naugatuck High School.
Jim Shannon Republican-American

2015: 9-10

Key players: Seniors Kyla Magalhaes, Leigha Molligi, Nicole Crowley; Juniors Alyana Sosa (All NVL), Hailey Boulanger, Erin Doris.

Outlook: There is tremendous talent to build around, but the Greyhounds lost a lot to graduation. Will still be one of the most dangerous teams in the NVL.

Coach’s comment: “We are a young team after losing a strong senior class. However, our returning players are technically sound and are great leaders for our younger players.”

Oxford

Head coach: Alicia Salvatore (5th season, 31-34-3)

2015: 10-7-1

Key players: Seniors Rachel Videira (All NVL), Kelly Ward, Jenna Petitti; Junior Alex Adames.

Outlook: Videira is talented and aggressive in goal, and a fun keeper to watch. The Wolverines will depend on her ability to keep the ball out of the net. Oxford is accustomed to being an NVL contender. The newcomers will have to develop quickly for that to happen again.

Oxford girls soccer Meghan Sastram, Rachel Videira, Makena Hillman, Haley Wheeler

Coach’s comment: “I’m looking forward to competing this season. We have a few returning experienced players mixed with some fresh young blood. So far they have been feeding off of one another and growing stronger each day. We are still bitter from getting knocked out of the first round of the state tournament on PKs and are eager to get back there. We expect to still be among the top competitors in the league. We are also looking forward to upsetting some of the teams we should have beat last season.”

Sacred Heart

Head coach: Mike Mentone (1st season, 168-68-21 in 15 seasons at Holy Cross)

2015: 1-15

Key players: Seniors Brianna Cyr, Nehway Sahn; Juniors Rachel Stack, Nellie Drewry; Sophomores China Torres, Adalena Francis, Alyssa Steel, Siobhan Gilmore, Ashlyn Arcuri, Grace Stone, Shelbe Turner, Ashley Cyr.

Outlook: No way is this a one-win team in 2016. The Hearts will start to climb the competitive ladder in the NVL.

Coach’s comment: “The girls are very enthusiastic and excited about the start of the new season. They are working hard as a group to achieve their team goal of making the NVL tournament. We are a young team that is working hard to get better every day.

St. Paul Catholic

Head coach: Jim Husbands (2nd season)

2015: 11-8-1

Key players: Seniors Alessandra Milardo, Alexis Morneault, Sydney Palma, Paulina Varela-Marin; Juniors Kendall Davis, Brianna Senese; Sophomores Catherine Ciampi, Julia Dess, Bella Griffin, Addison Davis, Carolyn DelDebbio.

Outlook: The Falcons will be a factor in the race for an NVL championship. This will be a tough defense to break down, but, will St. Paul find the net? It all starts with an experienced midfield.

Coach’s comment: “We have experience up the middle of the defense, but are young at striker and outside defense. Our goalie (Milardo) is solid. Our non-conference game against Portland should be great game to judge the Falcons competitiveness in Class S. If young players develop the way we hope, a 10 win season is a possibility. We are shooting for our fifth post season invitation.”

Seymour

Head coach: Brian Cleveland (1st season)

2015: 7-11

Key players: Seniors Mia Pinto, Mia Accavallo, Felicia Lage, Nicole Maher; Juniors Melyssa Gagliardi, Carson Zealor; Sophomore Patricia Jurkowski.

Outlook: The Wildcats have a solid senior class, and will no doubt make a run at a return trip to the state tournament. Guess here is that they’d also like to have a better showing in the NVL tournament.

Coach’s comment: “We will need to rely on our young talent to help replace a large graduating class. With returning experience and leadership in key positions, the possibility of putting together a solid season is not out of reach. The league should be very competitive this season, with Woodland leading the charge. We will look to be competitive in every game.”

Torrington

Head coach: Mario Longobucco (7th season, 51-51-6)

2015: 4-12

Key players: Seniors Ali Bottari, Alexis Tyrrell; Juniors Cassie Fedor, Shannon Reardon; Sophomore Kristina Michaud.

Outlook: Will the Raiders get back into the mix in the NVL? Will the Raiders get back into the CIAC tournament? With only three incoming freshman over the past two seasons, it won’t be easy.

Coach’s comment: “Numbers and depth continue to be a problem. We have an inexperienced but willing keeper, and we will need to play solid team defense in front of her. That being said, we have what we think is an attainable goal of qualifying for the state tournament for the first time in three years. If we have any injuries at all, we will be in serious trouble.”

Watertown

Head coach: Christina  Nunes (2nd season)

2015: 11-9-1, NVL finalist

Key players: Seniors Ashley Gugliotti, Gabby Traver; Junior Emily Hill; Sophomores Meadow Mancini, Emma Zaccagnini.

Outlook: The question now is, how do you keep the Indians out of the NVL title game? Answer: You don’t. Watertown has played in six straight NVL finals, and won five of them, from 2010 through 2014. Last season was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Yeah, right. The Indians are solid again, with great young talent. Simply put: An NVL perennial.

Coach’s comment: “The target on our back may not be as big this year, but we are aware that every game is going to be a battle. This year we have to be physically stronger than we were last year if we want to rise to the top.”

Members of the All-NVL Girls Soccer team front row from left, Alexa Casimiro-Woodland; Rachel Videira-Oxford; Kaitlyn Sengphilom-Ansonia; Shea Geary-Woodland; Jessica Rodrigues-Woodland and Alyssa Brana-Seymour. Back row, from left. Meghan Sastram-Oxford; Megan Doubleday-Wolcott; Alyana Sosa-Naugatuck; Josslyn Zaldivar-St. Paul; Fitore Kllobocishta-Watertown; Kylie Rice-Holy Cross and Jordan Gilmore-Holy Cross.
Jim Shannon Republican-American

Wolcott

Head coach: Chris Riviezzo (10th season, 63-82-9)

2015: 12-5-2

Key players: Seniors Meg Doubleday (All NVL), Kayla Mayo, Cynthia Dias, Sarah Begley; Juniors Taylor Riviezzo, Sam Hickey, Marissa Morales, Anna Forrest; Sophomore Tiona Watts.

Outlook: The Eagles were an NVL tourney team, and played into the Class M second round. They should duplicate all of that, and more, with a talented and experienced team. The question for Wolcott is this: Are the Eagles ready to break into the NVL’s top tier?

Coach’s comment: “We had a strong season last year and if we come together I expect much of the same this season.”

Woodland girls celebrate their NVL Championship following their 2-1 overtime win over Watertown in the NVL Girls Soccer Tournament final Thursday at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury.
Jim Shannon Republican-American

Woodland

Head coach: Cait Witham (4th season, 50-12-1)

2015: 20-1-1 (NVL champion, Class M semifinalist)

Key players: Seniors Jenna Pannone, Sam Plasky, Gillian Hotchkiss, Hailey Borris; Juniors Eliza Smith, Megen Serowich, Haley Andrews.

Outlook: It was a sensational season for the Hawks in 2015. They won the NVL title, in OT, and advanced to the M semis before being ousted in PKs. Can they repeat any of that? The good news is that Pannone is back in goal, and there is talent at every position.

Coach’s comment: “I look forward to seeing what this season has in store for our team. This team is a blend of experienced players who will show the younger players what it means to compete in the NVL, and younger players who bring new energy to the team. They have shown me they are dedicated to doing what it takes to be successful, and I am excited to see what this group can come together and do.”