Chemistry powers Westport girls soccer past Diman, 3-1

By Richard W Dionne Jr
Posted 10/19/17

“I love the chemistry of our team. Our three senior captains (Serena Aragao, Madison Martins and Ashlie Thatcher) have really taken hold of the team and brought them together. We seem to be on a …

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Chemistry powers Westport girls soccer past Diman, 3-1

Posted

“I love the chemistry of our team. Our three senior captains (Serena Aragao, Madison Martins and Ashlie Thatcher) have really taken hold of the team and brought them together. We seem to be on a roll as far as team chemistry goes and that’s important in high school soccer” said head coach Gary Muello.

The girls soccer team that started just three years ago, has a mix of younger players including four eighth grade starters.

“Bringing the team together was one of our main goals. As captains we really just want to make it fun for them,” said captain Serena Aragao.

“There can be a big divide at a junior-senior high school. We have made it a point to make sure that everyone feels included and We have a good relationship with the younger girls. We set the way for them. We really find a way to make sure that everyone feels included and that’s why our chemistry is so good,” added captain Madison Martins.

The seniors started their high school soccer careers on the Bishop Connelly junior varsity team due to the fact that Westport didn’t have a team.

“We started off at Bishop Connelly our freshman year. We co-opted at Bishop Connelly because we didn’t have our own team. We didn’t get much playing time. We were on junior varsity and didn’t have the opportunity to try out for varsity. They favored their own players. So we started our own team at Westport High School our sophomore year and ever since then it’s been a blessing,” said Serena Aragao.

The goals

Westport and Diman traded goals in the first half.

Westport Junior Arcadia Cass scored on a direct kick.

“It was right at the goalie, but the kick had so much power behind it. The Diman goalkeeper dropped to her knees too soon. The kick took a bounce and went into the back of the net,” said Westport goalkeeper and captain, Ashlie Thatcher.

The Wildcats took over in the second half. With strong defensive play from midfielder Samantha Arsenault and strong team defense, Diman only managed one second half shot on goal.

“Samantha Arsenault really stood out. She was solid, intelligent and really took charge,” said coach Muello.

Westport’s second goal came mid way through the second half on a blast from Laura Martel assisted by midfielder Marianela Dutra-Africano.

“It was a great assist they just kept passing back and fourth. They were calm and poised and that’s what got us the goal,” said Westport captain Serena Aragao.

Midfielder Marianela Dutra-Africano put the game away minutes later when she took a pass from forward Madison Gayliardi and powered around a Diman defender. She then unleashed a twenty-foot kick over Diman goalkeeper Makenzie Teixeira into the top right corner to give the Wildcats a commanding 3-1 lead.

The Westport team defense kept Diman to one shot on goalkeeper Ashlie Thatcher the rest of the way.

“Our goalkeeper Ashlie Thatcher was also great. I have had her for three years and she has been really outstanding,” said the coach.

“We could lose every game and I feel like the attitude that we have is that we support each other. We don’t get mad, we don’t yell, we are just there for each other and that what makes us a strong team and keeps pushing us forward,” Ashlie Thatcher said.

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