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11/15/2023 10:41 AMOne of, if not the, most up-and-coming club within the girls’ soccer circuit for the Shoreline Conference this fall has been the emergence of the youthful Valley Regional squad, and how the Warriors have taken charge and completed a deep state tournament run.
The Warriors improved upon their previous regular-season record from 2022 by going 8-7-1 for the 2023 slate. Valley earned the 15th seed for the Class S State Tournament, and a home game in the first round for those efforts. There on Nov. 6, they dispatched 18th-ranked St. Bernard by a 5-2 final. Two days later in the second round at No. 2 Ellis Tech, Valley won in a 9-0 rout to move onto play at No. 10 Cromwell in the quarterfinals on Nov. 10. In this matchup, the Warriors saw their resounding run come to an end with a hard-fought 1-0 loss to finish 10-8-1 overall for the campaign.
“We are happy to be in the tournament. We did improve our record from last year with such a young squad, which is a positive,” said Head Coach Lloyd Warren. “Regardless of our age though, qualification for states is an expectation for our program. This year we had the opportunity to host in the first round, which has been something we haven't had the opportunity to do for a long time. Playing in front of our community has been something that we love to do, and gives us confidence and belief in big games.”
The Warriors found their way to states and attained victory in the draw after a regular season riddled with peaks and valleys. Following a 5-1 hot start to the season, the girls went through a six-game winless streak, before rebounding to win three of the final four contests of the schedule.
“As a coaching staff we reflected, we made adjustments where we felt we needed, and we prepared the group to go again,” said Warren. “Our young squad has been dealt different challenges all year, and has found ways to recover from it. The term ‘bounce back ability' comes to mind. Our ability to deal with those setbacks and still have the belief that we could win some big games says a lot about the mentality of the group and the future they have inside the Shoreline Conference and the state tournaments. Our win over Cromwell [in the regular season] was a telling matchup that I think proved to our players that we belong in the conversation.”
Valley was led all season long by two stellar stewards in captains of senior Emilee Surber and sophomore Madelyn Riebold. Both girls displayed their pride for the program and love for the teammate next to them through leading by example, and putting their best foot on the ball and the pitch daily.
“Our two captains have been truly exceptional this year. Both players are fantastic student-athletes who are truly passionate about what they do, and are focused on being the best they can be for the Valley Regional program,” said Warren. “Emilee stepped up as the only senior, and has helped our young squad to come together and be truly a team. She has had a standout season, and has taken on the task of being a potent attacking presence with important goals and assists all season. The love our squad has for Emilee was so evident in the way they played and supported Emilee in that game. Madelyn is the true definition of a Valley Warrior. She is the hardest worker out there and sets the highest standards for herself, which then others follow. She is learning as a leader how to truly command the team and have a strong voice. It's been fun seeing her develop that ability all season, and I look forward to seeing her continue leading the team in the future.”
Surber (with 10 goals and 11 assists in the regular season) and Riebold earned First Team All-Shoreline honors for their talent. Sophomore Ella Smith (8 goals, 2 assists) was an Honorable Mention to the All-Shoreline Team. Additionally on offense this year, freshman Makaylah Spencer notched 10 goals and four assists for the duration of the regular season. Goalkeeper Emma Reilly allowed only 25 goals on 97 shots faced.
With the progress produced by the prodigal underclassmen this year, along with how well the squad utilized synergy and carried themselves around campus and the community, the future is nothing but bright and illuminating for the Warriors.
“We are a very young team, filled mostly with freshmen and sophomores,” said Warren. “Our juniors have provided us good leadership and experience, and our only senior has managed that reality with maturity and excellence, in the way she had led the team and brought her teammates along for the ride. The team is very well-integrated. They love doing things together off the field. They are active in the community and have a strong following of support from the young girls in town. It really is something special.”
The Warriors’ roster is comprised of senior Surber; juniors of Kendall Costello, Danna Lopez-Criollo, Delny Marsden; sophomores in Hannah Smith, Ella Smith, Peyton McIntyre, Riebold; plus freshmen with Spencer, Elleigh Ortola, Sara Delouchry, Julianna Robinson, Anne Keck, Avery Soares, and Reilly.
2023 Valley Regional Girls’ Soccer Regular Season Schedule
Sept. 7: Valley Regional 6, North Branford/Hale-Ray 0
Sept. 12: East Hampton 3, Valley Regional 1
Sept. 14: Valley Regional 3, Old Saybrook 1
Sept. 20: Valley Regional 7, St. Paul Catholic 2
Sept. 21: Valley Regional 1, Portland 0
Septy. 23: Valley Regional 3, Fitch 1
Sept. 26: Old Saybrook 2, Valley Regional 1
Sept. 27: Haddam-Killingworth 5, Valley Regional 2
Oct. 2: Canton 6, Valley Regional 2
Oct. 3: Valley Regional 3, Coginchaug 3
Oct. 5: Old Lyme 2, Valley Regional 1
Oct. 11: Norwich Free Academy 5, Valley Regional 1
Oct. 14: Valley Regional 2, Westbrook 0
Oct. 17: Morgan 3, Valley Regional 0
Oct. 19: Valley Regional 4, Cromwell 1
Oct. 21: Valley Regional 4, Montville 1