The Westbrook girls’ soccer team showed great improvement on the field this season and the key to the Knights’ progression was their strong leadership. Led by a trio of co-captains in senior Anna Schneider, plus juniors Adara Bochanis and Isabella Raffone, the Knights increased their number of wins from one in 2014 to four this year. It was the most victories for the Westbrook girls’ soccer program in a decade and Coach Rudy Raffone’s club also put together its first three-game winning streak in quite some time.

The Knights’ season began slowly as they dropped their first nine games and were held to just three goals. The team could have packed its bags and given up, but instead, Westbrook showed resiliency and pulled together to go on a nice run.

“I think we came together and played better as a team. T.E.A.M. means ‘Together Everyone Achieves More,’ and the girls’ seemed to respond and I so proud of the way they embraced each other and played so unselfishly,” Coach Raffone said. “I said that I thought October would be our month, but it was the girls who made it happen.”

Westbrook’s three-game spurt began when it defeated the Metropolitan Learning Center 2-1 on the road on Oct. 10. Bochanis scored off a rebound to give the young Westbrook squad its first lead of the season. MLC would tie the game at halftime, but just 30 seconds into the latter half, sophomore Erin Metcalfe scored what held up as the game-winning goal.

Next for the Knights was a road match versus Hale-Ray on Oct. 12 in which the girls tallied a season-high five goals in their 5-2 victory. Senior Sydney Leu scored to have the game tied 1-1 at halftime and, in the second stanza, freshman Kelly Donlan converted on a direct kick to give the Knights the advantage. Later, Metcalfe added to the lead by scoring three goals for the 5-2 triumph. For the Westbrook seniors, it was the first time in their high school careers they won two games in a season.

The Knights then took it even further as they won their third-straight game at home on Oct. 14 by again netting five goals in a 5-0 victory versus Two Rivers. Westbrook got out to a hot start as Metcalfe left off where she ended her last game by notching two first-half goals. Freshman Gretchen Pierpoint and sophomore Nicole Jara also scored next to make it 4-0 at the break. In the second half, sophomore Alyssa Esposito knocked one into the net for the 5-0 final.

Westbrook’s streak came to an end in its next game, but the Knights would win one more by a 4-0 margin against Hale-Ray at home. After the 0-7 start, Westbrook finished the season on a 4-3 run for an overall record of 4-10.

Coach Raffone believes his athletes were brought closer together through their hard work on the practice field, as well as time they spent bonding during three charity events in which they participated.

“I told the captains from day one this not a ceremonial position. I expect you to lead, inspire, and give back.” Raffone said. “The captains exceeded my expectations and I could not be prouder.”

Westbrook first took part in Emily’s Walk in Westbrook, an event held in honor of Greenwich High School student Emily Catherine Fedorko, who passed away at age 16 in a tragic boating accident on Aug. 6, 2014. The walk was sponsored by The Emily Catherine Fedorko Foundation and held to raise awareness for boating and water safety and also to educate about new laws that have been recently been implemented regarding those things.

Next, the Knights participated in the Conquer Chiari Walk Across America campaign. The campaign consists of a series of local fundraising walks where the goal is to advance the understanding and improve the outcomes for patients suffering from Chiari malformation—a condition that affects the brain. The walk took place at the Westbrook High School track and the team pitched in by setting up tents and running the booths, while also walking in the event.

Finally, on Oct. 24, the Knights bonded by helping with decorating and partaking in the Trick or Trot 5k Run/Walk at the Daisy Ingraham Elementary School in Westbrook. At the event, captains Schneider, Bochani, and Raffone banded together with the rest of their teammates, who were Marilyn Ulanowicz, Maya Asby, Gabriella Ehlert, Hayden Davis, Erin Metcalfe, Victoria Koplas, Meredith Farrell, Lindsey Prevost, Alyssa Esposito, Natalie Ranelli, Renee Perregaux, Sara Ann Maturo, Maribeth Maturo, Nikol Jara, Olivia Fabrizi, Sydney Leu, Katherine Dahl, Keysi Jara, Gretchen Pierpont, Kelly Donlan, Alexi Vumback, Savanah Whitney, Ruby Asby, Samantha Cates, and Patricia Calle.