“The girls have really proven themselves since (losing) that first game,” said head coach Gary Muello. “We did it mostly on the road, that’s impressive.”

 

Veracka scored two goals in the first half to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead. 

She scored her third goal early in the second half on a beautiful 25-yard kick over the keeper’s head into the left corner of the goal for her first hat-trick of the season. 

“Lily is dynamic, creative, exciting and passionate about the game,” Coach Muello said.  

The young forward scored 9 goals this season, despite missing two games due to an injury. She netted 22 goals last season as a seventh grader.

“She had an injury and couldn’t wait to get back and play,” he said. 

 

Eight grade striker Ella Camara scored two goals in the second half from Veracka passes. Camara blasted a 30-yard kick to the right side of the goal, catching the keeper off guard. She assisted on the sixth goal scored by Julia Roposo, who plays left wing for Westport. 

“Ella’s coming on strong,” said Coach Muello. “She’s physical and likes to play in the middle of the field.” 

The two young forwards are both speedy and complement each other well as Veracka likes to play on the outside.

“She makes terrific crosses and she can shoot from 25-yards out. Ella is the same way. They both can rip it.”

 

Goalkeeper Morgan Pacheco recorded her fifth clean sheet of the season. 

“She’s great.” said co-captain Julia George, the team’s holding midfielder. “Morgan has been working really hard on her goalie skills.” 

Pacheco has been working with consistently with the boys goalkeeper coach George Stelljes and with Wildcats’ goalkeeper Noah Amaral.

“She has definitely gotten more confident through out the season. It’s been good to see,” George said. 

 

Pacheco has also had a ton of help from midfielders and co-captains Tess Silvia and George, the only two seniors on the roster with team manager Holly Roy. The pair made stops, turnovers and controlled play by getting the ball upfield to their skilled young teammates. 

Off the field they have provided strong leadership and camaraderie for the young Wildcats. 

“They have done just a fantastic job,” Coach Muello said. “They’ve helped to take this young team of 7th graders, 8th graders and five sophomores and meld them together to make it work. They’ve shown respect and yet shown leadership, patience and confidence in their teammates.” 

“We have a really young team this season,” said Silvia. We work hard together and our chemistry has been really good.”

 

The Wildcats have a bunch of young talented forwards. Eighth grader Sophia Nickelson plays the left wing with Camara and Veracker. Eighth grader Margaret Twomey spells Camara at striker. Seventh grader Adelyn Reynolds is also in the mix at forward with Kaelyn Butter and Brooke Crocker. Her sister Kenzy Reynolds and seventh grader Sophia Babb play attacking midfielder. 

 Defensively, junior Alex Neronha, sophomores Jackie Jusseaume, and Audrey Xavier and Bailey Hart are on the defensive backline with Avery Pereira and Harper Thibodeau. 

 

“They are all coming along real well and are all working together and controlling the ball on the field,” said Coach Muello. “I’m so proud of them.”

 

The Wildcats have a power ranking of 15 and are certain to make the tournament this season. The question is how far can they go?

With savvy upperclassmen and their young players getting better every game, the captains feel that they have a great opportunity to make it deep into the state tournament. 

“We made a good run last season,” Silvia said. “If we can make it farther, that would be amazing.”

“So we can have the best last (senior) season,” added George. 

 

Next up: Westport hosts Avon on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.