Veteran Girls Soccer Team Ready For Success

Last season saw the Madison High School girls soccer team grow into a formidable opponent by year's end.

In fact, throughout much of the second half of the 2010 season, the Dodger squad wreaked havoc on some of the state's best teams, taking leads into the second half of games against Morris Catholic and James Caldwell High School, only to succumb to losses late.

But with only one starter graduating after last season, head coach Kevin Lynott and his squad head into 2011 stacked with talent and experience.

“Experience is important, it’s something you can’t teach,” Lynott said. “We lost some tough games last year [when leading], but [the team] should be in a better mindset of how to handle games like that, and be in a position, because of game experience last year, to recognize where they made the mistakes.”

That experience will undoubtedly help, but having a number of players available off of the bench may be even more important.

“Having a few more options off the bench will definitely help, Lynott explained, “because it give you as a coach, a chance to freshen things up and give some of your key players those breathers that they sometimes need during games.”

A key member of this Dodger squad is senior captain Katherine Zimmerman.

Zimmerman, who’s headed to play soccer at Division-I Providence College next fall, led all Dodger goal scorers in 2010 and returns for her senior campaign looking to continue her run as one of the states best.

With Zimmerman expected to garner attention from opposing defenses all season long, Lynott is hoping to see his team adapt and prosper, something they struggled to do last season.

“Everyone knows Katherine in the state, so every time we play a team she’s going to be very tightly marked,” he said. “So it’s down to [the rest of the team] now, to be working off the ball and help her. If they have two players on Katherine, she can feed it off. That’s an asset.”

Lynott see’s multiple returning varsity players stepping up this season and helping to forge Madison ahead of the competition. If 2010 was any indication of what this team is capable of, then the sky is the limit.

“We definitely have the talent on the team,” senior Rebecca Levin said. “We just need to work together and stay concentrated and focused, but I think everyone has a lot of skill and we can go really far.”

LAST SEASON’S RESULTS:

The 2010 varsity team finished with a record of 9-5-4, losing in the first round of the North 2, Group II state tournament to James Caldwell, 3-2 in overtime.

LOOK OUT FOR:

Katherine Zimmerman, Striker (Sr.) – Zimmerman comes into the season as Madison’s key offensive force. The senior captain has garnered a reputation as one of the states best players and will look to continue playing at a high level in 2011.

Megan Calcaterra, Goalkeeper (Jr.)- Calcaterra enters her second year starting in net for  the Dodgers and Lynott says that he’s seen a lot of growth from the junior, early in the season. “I’m really encouraged with what I’ve seen from her this preseason,” he said. “She’s matured a lot and is starting to take control of her defense, and that’s an area we really tried to get her to work on, and in preseason, she’s seems to have done it.”

Rebecca Levin, Centerback (Sr.)- McCarter brings with her leadership and skill as the Dodger sweeper. Expect big things from the senior as she patrols a crucial part of the field in 2011.

WHO’S GONE:

Sam Cicconi, as a center midfielder, Cicconi was a key contributor in 2010, commanding one of the most crucial positions on the field. Her leadership and skill will be missed in 2011.

COACH’S TAKE:

“Experience is important, it’s something you can’t teach,” Lynott said. “We lost some tough games last year [when leading], but [the team] should be in a better mindset of how to handle games like that, and be in a position, because of game experience last year, to recognize where they made the mistakes.”– Coach Lynott

THEY SAID IT

“It’s nice to have other players who can score, and we do, so I think with the forwards and the midfields, and even some defenders, I think the goals will be spread out. I know my teammates work to get in good positions and help me out, and that’s what it’s all about, to get in position to help the team.” – Zimmerman

“I’m excited and I think the teams looking pretty good. We’re just working some of the kinks out, but we’re coming together pretty well. We have a lot of returning seniors and a lot of people who know the game, and we know how to play with each other. I think we can win states.”-Levin