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Guilford Soccer Sends Four Players to 30th Annual Senior Bowl

Guilford soccer was well represented at this year’s 30th annual Senior Bowl, sending two players from the boys’ team and two from the girls’ team. The Senior Bowl is an annual showcase of the top Connecticut soccer talent, giving seniors from all conferences an opportunity to play against the top competition in the state and receive recognition for stellar high school careers.

Representing the Guilford boys were senior goalkeeper and captain Justin Hess, and senior forward Sami AbuGhazaleh. Both Justin and Sami were recognized as All-SCC First Team talents. Justin Hess was also named to the Class L All-State Team as well as the All-New England Team.

Representing the girls were senior defender and captain Arianna Tomassi, and senior mid-fielder and captain Kat Baseggio. Both Ari and Kat received All-Conference honors this year, making the All-SCC First Team.

Guilford girls Head Coach Regina Sullivan says Arianna was a key leader for a young roster this fall, bringing a calm presence to the defensive unit when it needed one.

“She is a very calm, levelheaded player,” said Coach Sullivan, “and was a great leader, organizing the defensive unit. We had some young players, so she was a great role model and just a very composed and mature player.”

Arianna herself felt the Senior Bowl was a rewarding end to the season and a unique opportunity to reconnect with girls she had met during her Connecticut playing days. She felt it was a fitting way to end her high school career, especially playing alongside her teammate, Kat.

“It was an honor to be selected to the Senior Bowl,” said Arianna. “It was a game to show that my hard work paid off and that my success as a player was recognized. It was a great way to end my high school soccer experience.” Arianna also eluded to what it was like having her teammate Kat by her side. “It was nice to have a chance to play with Kat one last time in this game before going to college. I’m glad we were able to represent Guilford together.”

Coach Sullivan praised Kat Baseggio, her senior midfielder, for her ability to not only win possession and control the ball for Guilford, but in doing so, rally her teammates around her at key moments in the game.

“Kat absolutely was a big contributor to setting the tone or setting the pace on the field, said Sullivan. “She brings 100% intensity to every game, she would absolutely rally the players around her and get them to step up the intensity level.”

Kat was honored to be selected for the game and impressed by the plethora of talent CT soccer has to offer. “It’s special to go out with any Guilford teammate, but it was great to finish alongside Ari, who I’ve played with for three of my four years in high school,“ Said Kat.

”It was awesome to see talent from all over the state come together. I played with people I’ve never met, and it was so interesting to see the ability of Connecticut.... I’ve played soccer for so long and it was an amazing way to end my career, surrounded by talent.“

Additionally, the Senior Bowl gives an opportunity for CT seniors to play in front of potential college scouts. While many players have already decided what their college soccer plans will look like, Coach Sullivan recognized that the game is also an avenue for some “additional exposure that potentially some college recruiters could see them or see something in one of the players that they are looking for,” said Sullivan.

Boys Head Coach Curtis Gullette calls what Justin Hess brings to the team “invaluable,” and praises his leadership this past season.

“Justin is a natural leader of this team, said Coach Gullette. “From the way he plays his position, to the pregame talks with the team in the huddle, to the consistent commitment to having the team improve, he makes a great captain for the GHS boys' soccer team.” Gullette also went on to say, “he takes an active role in each training session, stopping drills to coach players on ways to improve, strategies to employ, and areas to focus upon.”

Of his on-field play, Coach Gullette mentioned that his goalkeeper sets himself apart from the competition by anticipating shots and sequences before they happen, getting himself into position at the right time to make a save.

“Justin is an extremely talented goalie,” Gullette said. “What sets him apart is his ability to read the game as it plays out in front of him. He is able to take those reads and position himself to make last minute reaction saves look ordinary. There is an ease to the way it looks like he plays, though he has a fiery mindset behind that look.”

Justin himself was proud to take the field one last time as a high school player, especially against such a talented group. “Playing in the Soccer Senior Bowl gave me the chance to compete with, and against, some of the state's best high school players from all the conferences,” said Justin. “I appreciated the challenge and had a great experience playing in the game.”

Representing the Guilford boys’ attack was Sami AbuGhazaleh, whom Coach Gullette praised for his incredible motor on the field, creating constant trouble for defenses and attacking the goal with an understanding he has honed in on over years of playing.

“Sami is a relentless soccer player,” said Gullette. “His determination on the field allows him to make the extra effort necessary to put the ball in the back of the goal. Whether it be through his speed to outrun the opponent, a quick move to get by the defender, or a savvy play to find space in the air to head the ball home, Sami is an attacking threat at all times of the game.”

While Sami enjoyed the Senior Bowl experience, he would rather take the field with his fellow Grizzlies.

“It really is a huge honor to be selected to participate, but more importantly I’m very grateful to be able to represent my hometown,” said Sami. ”It’s really special to be there with Justin both on the field and off it....that was something special, because after every game we’d walk out together and it was nice to do it one more time.“

“It was a very fun experience but honestly, I’d choose playing with my teammates, who are basically family, over the players at the Senior Bowl any day of the week,” Sami continued. “Those are the guys that I went to battle with on the field my whole life and I’d never change that.“

Justin and Sami have played soccer together since they were in grade school. Justin considered the Senior Bowl as a great opportunity to take the field again with his teammate and friend.

“We have been long time teammates, but more importantly, we will be lifelong friends,” said Justin. “Being given an opportunity to play together one last time, sharing our passion for this sport, was a special ending to my high school soccer career.”