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05/07/2024 11:18 AMAny athlete that is asked to change their field assignment on the fly might feel some trepidation, much less when you are an underclassman. Yet Alyssa Marino showed a certain fearlessness and courageousness beyond her years and has shown that she has a future as a sound stopper.
The North Branford sophomore grew up playing soccer and still currently plays the sport for the Thunderbirds. She also took on basketball and lacrosse last year as a freshman, the latter sport having no prior experience. Alyssa found her way onto the girls’ lax squad as a defender. Yet when the T-Birds had a void at goalkeeper entering this spring, Alyssa was called upon to step in and has done admirably for the 8-3 Thunderbirds girls’ lacrosse squad.
“I definitely feel that the transition from defender to goalkeeper was rough for me,” says Alyssa. “The switch over was unlike anything else I had experienced in my life. There is so much pressure on you because it is all on you to not let the ball in. My teammates have had my back in telling me that it is not my fault if a goal goes in, but you will never not feel like a goal is your fault. My friends on the team and my coaches have helped me out a lot.”
Head Coach Lori Connelly recollects that she chose Alyssa based off of her incredible intangibles to fulfill a tight spot in a crucial position. She adds that regardless if Alyssa chooses to stay between the pipes beyond 2024, she has proven her ultimate worth to the club exponentially.
“Alyssa is the epitome of what a team player should be. As a freshman, Alyssa worked hard as a defender and was aggressive and very coachable. When I knew we needed a goalie this year, I knew I needed an athlete that is tough and has no fear, is willing to do whatever it takes to win, and someone who will always put the team's needs ahead of their own,” says Connelly. “Alyssa is determined to be the best goalie she can be while she is stepping up to fill the role. She works super hard every day, and her growth from the beginning of the season until now is impressive. Numerous coaches have approached me about how they can not believe she is a first-year goalie. She has quick hands and is so tough getting hit with the ball; it doesn't even seem to faze her. I still hold out a little hope that I will be able to convince her to maintain this role after this year, but regardless of what she decides for the future, she has been a huge asset to our team this season. We would be lost without her. I am just so proud of her and hope she recognizes how amazing she is doing.”
While Alyssa's maiden voyage in net for the 2024 campaign may have seemed like she had an easy day based solely on the box score, it was a momentous occasion for her psyche. She explains that no matter the quantity of stops, each swipe was a building block of swagger in herself.
“I was so nervous before our first game this year that I was shaking,” says Alyssa. “I ended up making it onto the field, though, and we won 16-4 in a blowout. Even though I only gave up four goals, I realized that I had still made a ton of saves and kept those in my head. Thinking about the fact that I made those saves really helped my confidence, and I use that reflection to build it up.”
Alyssa has also experienced final results at the opposite end of the spectrum only one month into her first campaign between the pipes. While she conveys that her colleagues procure the ultimate post game pep talks, Alyssa knows to keep the proper mentality and perspective.
“We lost a recent game to Pomperaug by a score of 14-2, and my whole team helped me feel better. They lifted me up in an insane way, and without them and my starting defense, I would not have my confidence,” Alyssa says. “At first, I was hesitant to become the goalie and did not want to do it at all, but I knew I had to grow and not be angry and accept it. The best thing you can do with anything like that is to have a positive attitude.”
Alyssa's durability goes well beyond the reaches of her mind. She showcases herself as someone who can flourish with physical fortitude, as well, while aiming to harness her focus all around.
“One of the things that I would like to work on that I feel is a weakness is catching the ball with my stick and focusing more because it can be distracting out there with so much going on,” says Alyssa. “I feel, though, that I am strongest at getting up to the ball because I do not care if I get hit.”
Now a little wiser and more experienced, Alyssa sees the girls who were in a similar spot to her a year ago adjust quite well to the turf and the T-Birds’ expectations. She also concludes that North Branford is on the right track to get back atop the Shoreline Conference with a dedicated defense more than willing to do whatever it takes to accommodate Alyssa.
“I feel like as a team we have made a lot of progress since the year began. I can see it in the girls that came onto the team this year who had not played before previously,” says Alyssa. “Also, the defenders this year have changed the way they play for me, which is a positive thing. I can also see the work we put in during practice coming through in our games and our wins.”