By Jacob Tobey, sports reporter
It’s that time of year again, and the Sturgis Storm girls’ varsity soccer team is back on the pitch and ready to begin the soccer season. After a disappointing loss last year in the first round of the Division 3 South State Tournament game, the girls look to have another impressive season. Senior Captains Brittany Gayton and Kaleigh Fallon hope to bring great leadership to the team and to build chemistry with all the young talent.
Gayton commented about how she wants to lead the team in her final soccer season at Sturgis:
“Both Kaleigh and I hope to just pull the team together and push them in the right direction. We both want the same thing (states) and we know that in order to achieve that, we have to lead by example and play hard during every practice and game.”
Sturgis played its first game on Wednesday, September 4th against rival Sturgis West at Old Townhouse Field in Yarmouth, the team’s home field. The East girls won the match 2-0, as Gayton scored the team’s first goal of the season with a shot to the top left of the net, assisted by her co-captain Kaleigh Fallon. Senior April Schaefer scored the second goal for the Storm in the second half of the game, juking the goalie with a couple of moves and finishing on a wide open net to lengthen the Storm’s lead. Gayton assisted on Schaefer’s goal to improve upon an already productive offensive day. Sturgis East’s defense, anchored by junior Rowen McEnaney also put on a stellar performance, not allowing the ball to be deep in their defensive zone. Rowen Mcenaney had a very good game as she played solid defense.
The girls next traveled to Nantucket on Monday the 9th for what always is a very tough game to play. The Storm’s defense was not as it was in the season opener against West, as they let up 6 goals en route to a 6-0 loss. The offense for Sturgis was shut down by a very skilled and intimidating Nantucket defense. Gayton, on the boat ride home from the island, voiced that it was a “disappointing game.” For historical reference, Sturgis East, between both soccer programs, has never beaten Nantucket, although both squads have tied the Whalers in previous years. Sophomore Tess Puopolo had an impressive game against Nantucket as she held the midfield position, while Sarah Clifford did well in goal against one of the top offenses in Division 3.
Senior Captain Kaleigh Fallon talked about her objectives for her final season at Sturgis, “A few goals for the season are to obviously make it to states but to also make sure the upcoming lower classmen are ready to take the role of the seniors next year because more than 8 of us on the varsity team are seniors this year. But overall I'm looking forward to a really great season and I think we have what it takes to make it to states again!”
