The East Haven girls’ soccer team featured an abundance of youth in Jake Hackett’s third season as the Yellowjackets’ head coach. East Haven had just four seniors with 15 underclass athletes on its roster, and many of those up-and-comers saw considerable varsity minutes on the pitch. Although the Easties were young, they still qualified for the Class L State Tournament on their way to finishing with a record of 7-7-3 last year.

With so many players having gained critical varsity experience, Coach Hackett hopes that they are ready to take on even more responsibility this fall. Hackett is looking for East Haven to continue its climb up the SCC and state ranks.

“We had some younger players we kind of threw in headfirst. Being young, there were little things here and there. Games that we should have won, we tied. A couple losses were games we should have won. But we were young. It was a learning process,” said Hackett. “Our big mantra is that yesterday’s hard work isn’t good enough today. We get better every day. From the seniors down to the freshmen, that mantra really resonates. This year, I’d like to show that we are a force to be reckoned with and we can put out some really good soccer.”

East Haven’s senior captains are midfielder Bella Pilato, defender Aimee DiVerniero, and goalkeeper Angelina Munoz. Pilato and DiVerniero served as junior captains last year. Pilato earned All-SCC First Team honors and also made the All-State Class L Team. Munoz garnered All-SCC Second-Team accolades for East Haven.

Pilato and Munoz have both been starters since their freshman seasons, and DiVerniero has been starting since she was a sophomore. Coach Hackett wants all three captains to keep providing quality leadership, while using their wealth of varsity experience to help their teammates grow.

“Isabella is a leader on and off the field. It’s truly special. She’s not only an exceptional player, but compassionate and caring for the players around her. She’s a huge key to our success,” Hackett said. “Aimee is a great kid. She suffered an injury as a sophomore and came back very hungry. Having a player of her experience and leadership ability on defense is incredible. Angelina is very vocal and a great leader. You want that from your goalkeeper. She does a great job organizing her team and leads by example. I’m excited to see Ang step into the captain’s role. She has always been a leader.”

Last year, East Haven saw freshmen Sydney Herard and Gianna Mendez start alongside Pilato in the midfield. Coach Hackett called Herard a defensive force and said that Mendez is strong on the attack.

Hackett added that junior Jocelyn Lucero and sophomore Gabriella Gaetano showed solid improvement last season and are in line to make a difference in the midfield this year. Overall, the coach thinks the East Haven’s midfield unit “is something that should be a great, great thing for us” in the 2020 campaign.

Coach Hackett is expecting juniors Alex Castro, Emily Mazzucco, and Kate Pycela to see plenty of time on defense. Mazzucco and Pycela have each played center back for the Yellowjackets, and Hackett said that both of them have continually improved in that role. Castro missed the end of last season with an injury, but Hackett said that she and fellow fullback DiVerneiro are putting in the work to ensure that East Haven succeeds defensively.

“They’re all very good defensive players. We have a strong defensive unit,” Hackett said. “I’m very proud of the work the defenders have put in to learn the defensive system. Our defensive unit, alongside Angelina, has kept us in games and helped us compete with the top-level teams in the SCC.”

East Haven will be led by junior forward Emily Pycela on the offensive end of the field. A starter since her freshman year, Pycela played her way to a spot on the All-SCC Second Team as a sophomore last fall. Coach Hackett said that Pycela is stellar striker who’s primed for a big campaign.

“Emily’s a great finisher, a great attacker. She is a player that teams have circled when they know we’re coming to town,” said Hackett. “She’s a very strong striker. This could be a huge year for her. She has really rounded out her game. She has the ability to be one of the best in the SCC.”

Junior Anajha Nelson is also slated to play her fair share of minutes at the forward position. Hackett said that Nelson has worked hard to learn ropes of East Haven’s offense and will be a big help when Pycela draws double coverage from the opposition.

As the Yellowjackets gear up for another year, Hackett believes that maturity will be one of their greatest strengths. He’s been emphasizing the importance of having a winning mentality, while pushing hard both offensively and defensively, regardless of the score. With a more experienced team hitting the pitch, Hackett feels confident that East Haven is ready to compete and give every opponent on its schedule everything they can handle.

“I want to prove that we are a force to be reckoned with and that, if you’re coming to play us, strap on tight. Know that no team is going to come in and get an easy win against us. If you’re going to beat us, you better bring your A-game,” Hackett said. “We go into every match as prepared as we possibly can. We are going to work our hardest and battle. At the end of every game, I want the girls to look in the mirror and say, ‘I gave everything I possibly could.’ If they can say that, there’s nothing more I can ask of them.”

2020 East Haven Girls’ Soccer Schedule

Friday, Sept. 4: at Westbrook at 3:45 p.m. (scrimmage)

Wednesday, Sept. 16: vs. Jonathan Law at 6 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 18: at Guilford at 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 22: at Sheehan at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 24: at Mercy at 3:45 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26: vs. West Haven at noon

Tuesday, Sept. 29: at Wilbur Cross at Rice Field at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 2: at Hamden at 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 6: vs. Branford at 6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 9: at Jonathan Law at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 14: vs. Guilford at 6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 16: vs. Sheehan at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 19: vs. Mercy at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 21: at West Haven at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 23: vs. Wilbur Cross at 3:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 26: vs. Hamden at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 28: at Branford at 6:30 p.m.