The victories may have been few and far between for the East Haven girls’ soccer team this fall, but one thing that has been plentiful and has never soured is the sweet satisfaction the girls have garnered by giving their all day in and day out.

Head Coach Jake Hackett and the Yellowjackets are in the middle of a 1-13-1 season currently, yet despite the mark, plenty of progress has been achieved from Hackett’s perspective. He maintained that while East Haven will fall short of its postseason targets and aspirations, it is certainly not for lack of effort in practices and contests, with a group of girls the entire community can hold in the highest esteem with a beaming sense of hometown pride.

“Our team’s two main goals are to make the state tournament and to get better every time we step on the field,” said Hackett. “Off the field, our goal is to be leaders both in the building and in our community. This group of girls is special. They put forth a tremendous effort day in and day out.”

Natalie Brown and Valerie Sortitio anchor both the defense and the team as two-thirds of the captain equation for the Yellowjackets in 2023. Joining them at the forefront of the field is forward and fellow senior captain Gianna Castellano. The trio set a terrific template for all the elements that embody the East Haven culture.

“All three of these captains display the key principles of this program,” Hackett said. “The principles include hard work, strong leadership, and compassion for all players. I couldn’t ask for three better captains; each one of them is a leader both on and off the field.”

Additionally, senior Sera Lendroth is continuing her career in the Yellowjackets’ net as their stopper, and she is sharing time by platooning with fellow classmate and netminder Jasmin Pinos.

“Sera is looking to continue her stalwart career as our goalkeeper,” said Hackett. “Jasmin Pinos is also a goalkeeper looking to help the team in net.”

Right ahead of those seniors up the pitch is a deep junior class, highlighted by midfielders Valery Orrego, Dalexa Pereanez, and Sofia Calixto, each of whom Hackett hearkened to, “taking up roles in the middle of the field in our midfield.”

On the opposite end of the ball on offense, junior Fatima Magana aids the striking unit for the Yellowjackets. Freshman Julia Torrello and sophomore Ali Borzillo are “great additions to our attack,” per Hackett, in addition to several other underclassmen across all levels of the turf.

“Freshman Kiley Mazzucco, junior Angelly Cordova, and freshman Abby Hopkins have all shown strong defensive performances, led by our senior captains Val Sortitio and Natalie Brown at center back. Junior midfielder Hannah Dudley has shown great performances in the center midfielder position, and is a junior leader in this program. Gianna Castellano is continuing her strong career as a goal scorer up top for us.”

The stretch run of the regular season included contests against preeminent and upstart SCC programs in Oronoque Division adversaries of Sheehan and Guilford. No matter what the final scoreboard may read after each matchup, or what the final win-loss ratio will be once the final chapter is penned on this 2023 campaign, Hackett explained that his girls can look back on it with a great sense of accomplishment and purpose with how they played, carried themselves in all facets of the Yellowjackets’ family, and represented the name on the front of their jerseys.

“They play every game with passion and battle for not only themselves, but also for each other and the good of the team,” said Hackett. “They take pride in wearing the East Haven uniform and never quit. I am very proud of what they have done so far this season and am looking forward to the remainder of the season.”

Hackett returned this fall for his seventh season at the helm as head coach for East Haven. He is assisted on the sidelines this campaign by Marley Herard, back for her second season, and first-year coaching newcomer Caitlyn Esposito.

The 2023 East Haven girls’ soccer team roster is comprised of seniors in Brown, Sortito, Castellano, Salome Hernandez, Lendroth, Jennifer Ramsey, Mya Fenn, Julianna Paranto, Jasmin Pinos; juniors of Orrego, Magana, Dudley, Brianna Fernandez, Pereanez, Cordova, Calixto; sophomores Ariella Guadalupe, Amanda Kahn, Amanda Kaleba, Giulia D’Onofrio, Bianca Ortiz, Samantha Lopez, Borzillo, Bricia Encalada; freshmen of Adamaris Pasolini-Cali, Madison McKeon, Mazzucco, Hopkins, Torello, Isabella Ortiz, and Genieve Castro.

2023 East Haven Girls’ Soccer Regular Season Results and Schedule

Sept. 12: Hamden 5, East Haven 0

Sept. 14: Sheehan 7, East Haven 0

Sept. 18: Guilford 6, East Haven 0

Sept. 21: East Haven 3, Career-Hillhouse 0

Sept. 26: Law 6, East Haven 0

Sept. 28: Lauralton Hall 3, East Haven 0

Sept. 30: North Haven 3, East Haven 0

Oct. 4: Lyman Hall 3, East Haven 1

Oct. 5: Hamden 6, East Haven 0

Oct. 7: Lyman Hall 4, East Haven 1

Oct. 10: Sheehan 6, East Haven 0

Oct. 13: Guilford 7, East Haven 0

Oct. 16: Career-Hillhouse 0, East Haven 0

Oct. 18: Lauralton Hall 1, East Haven 0

Oct. 20: Law 4, East Haven 0

Monday, Oct. 23: vs. North Haven at 6 p.m.