As we have all been experiencing, 2020 has been filled with uncertainties and strange new realities that have been difficult to adjust to. For many students, it has become mandatory to deal with the effects of a global pandemic, including our student athletes. With practices being pushed back later in the year, limited spectators, and social distancing being enforced, our teams of Kangaroos have been forced to adjust to these new changes for this crazy year. Beginning in late August/early September, our girls and boys soccer teams have worked hard to be able to have their seasons be as close to normal as possible.
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Each year, our athletes have continued to impress our fans with their strength, versatility, confidence, and positivity. Our Lady Kangaroos were able to put 3 strong wins in the record book this season, despite the challenges and differences they were forced to endure. In some of their best games, the girls were able to push ahead of their opponents by six or even seven points, giving the team a chance to bond and solidify their unity as a team.
This year’s graduating Kangaroos— Alivia Cote, Erin Avolt, Kylie Fernet, Brynn Hudson, Kelly Poulin, Reilly Stager, and Lena Stefano— were celebrated on November 16, 2020, after playing a game against Shepaug. Surrounded by their teammates and family members, the seniors were able to play one final game as shining, passionate, and dedicated members of the THS Girls Soccer Team.
After finishing their 2020 season, the remaining team of underclassmen is still feeling hopeful for a great season next year.
The players are not the only ones feeling optimistic and proud of the hard work they put into this year’s season. The girls’ coaches are extremely proud of the way that the girls were able to adapt to the many changes they faced during the season.
Coach Brian Rosano says, “[D]ue especially to the leadership of our seniors, our girls created a sense of normalcy and routine that gave us a great chance to be successful each time we stepped on the field.”
Further expressing the accomplishments of the Lady Roos this year he also said, “This group of girls is one to be proud of, as they were able to come together, find a way to block out the world’s distractions, and focus on their team.”
Similar to the challenges the girls faced, our boys’ soccer team was forced to face the pandemic head-on and play through a soccer season that looked very different from traditional seasons. However, the boys still managed to come together as a team and work hard to ensure they all enjoyed themselves while on the field.
On the boys’ team, graduating seniors Nick Corsi, Brandyn DeMayo, Owen Mantoni, and Carlos Santiago Prado were able to become the leaders that the team needed and guide them through a difficult season.
Although the boys did not win any games this year, the underclassmen who will be joining the team again next year are optimistic for a continuously strong sense of unity among the team leading them to victory over their opponents.
To end this year’s difficult season, our THS boys soccer team tied with Thomaston on November 4, 2020. Despite the many challenges, the boys rallied together and made the best out of the season by building relationships together.
Reflecting on the season, head coach Ryan McAdoo was filled with pride in the work that the boys had put into their season that was anything but normal. He says, “Our boys and coaching staff chose to take the season for what it was and find the positives in each challenge. Covid gave us the opportunity to become a cohesive unit and tackle each challenge together.”
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As this global pandemic continues to evolve and pose more challenges to the world, organizations at the federal, state, and local levels have been releasing new guidelines for communities to follow. The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) has released new guidelines and restrictions on sports, leading to the delay of winter sports until at least January 19, 2021.
Written by Emma Farrow