Printer Friendly Version - Valley Girls’ Soccer Returns Several Veterans from State Quarters Squad

Madelyn Riebold is back for her second year as a captain and junior for the Valley girls’ soccer squad, as the Warriors return a young but seasoned group from a squad that made the state quarterfinals in 2023. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Junior Payton McIntrye is setting into a captain’s role as a junior and center midfielder for the Warriors girls’ soccer squad. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Based upon the deep tournament run last postseason and the amount of returning pieces from the journey, the Valley Regional girls’ soccer squad is on a favorable path to take things one step further in establishing itself as a formidable contender in the Shoreline and state.

For 2023, the Warriors improved upon their previous regular-season record from 2022 by going 8-7-1 for the regular season 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, the Warriors 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 on to 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.

Head Coach Lloyd Warren explained that he and the girls made a board game out of their goals for the campaign. The Warriors are ready to use the Xs and Os to cultivate the best strategy to hit on all of those on-the-field objectives, and so far they have gotten out to an 0-2-1 start.

“We have a tic tac toe board with our goals, and we want to achieve all nine this year,” said Warren. “The goals are to make the Final Four of states, defeat Old Lyme and Old Saybrook, record five shutouts, earn five conference wins, have 25-plus goals as a team, have eight different scorers, record back-to-back home wins, qualify for the Shoreline Tournament, and have four non-conference wins.”

A young Valley roster will be led into competition on the turf by a tandem of junior captains with Madelyn Riebold and Payton McIntrye. Riebold is back for her second stint in the captain’s chair at center midfielder, the same position as McIntyre–a first-year steward. Riebold looks to continue to capitalize after a First Team All-Shoreline bid last fall, while McIntyre will serve as a defensive disruptor.

“Maddie is our engine and will be looking to take big strides this year after making First Team All-Conference last year,” said Warren. “Payton provides a great work ethic and ability to break up plays and facilitate attacks.”

Another standout classmate of the two captains is Ella Smith, a striker at forward who was an offensive force for the Warriors in 2023. A quartet of sophomore sensations occupy each tier of the field with Makaylah Spencer on offense at forward, center back player Julianna Robinson, and left midfielder Sara Delouchry, plus Emma Reilly patrolling in net.

“Ella Smith is looking to improve on her goal tally last year. Makaylah Spencer is one of the most naturally talented players in the league. She can be a big assist and goal threat throughout the season,” Warren said. “Julianna Robinson reads the game well and is a great defender. She is a key to any success this year. Sara Delouchry has some big shoes to fill with the departure of last year's senior captain, Emilee Surber. Sara has the talent to step up in numerous ways. Emma Reilly has been developing nicely in the keeper position and is giving us a chance to compete in games through her more consistent goaltending.”

Warren and the girls do in fact have some Shoreline showdowns circled on their regular season calendar that will play a pivotal factor in their postseason qualification aspirations. Valley may be small on seniors and overall numbers, but they more than make up for it with a youthful group that has garnered prior varsity experience and the raw talent and drive to thrive.

“Some of our key games are local derbies against Old Lyme and Old Saybrook. We need to do better in Shorelines. as we want to achieve conference playoffs after missing out the last two years. Every game is a final for us,” said Warren. “We have a talented squad. Our goal is to keep our small squad healthy and in the best position to compete. The group is maturing together, as we only lost one senior last year. We hope they can take the next step in being a more competitive Shoreline program and for them to have a deeper run in states.”

The Valley Regional 2024 roster is comprised of seniors Danna Lopez-Criollo; juniors McIntyre, Riebold, Ella Smith, Hannah Smith, Nyla Maignan, Carly Sonn; sophomores Reilly, Robinson, Naomi Cokas, Avery Soares, Delouchry, Spencer, Matilda Boutilier, Anne Keck; plus freshmen Juliana Spencer, Kali Dorso, Lila Young, Grace Bauer, Aviana Santangelo, Aubrianna Jacoby, Zoe Dumas, and Mia Moore.

Warren is in his sixth year as head coach and will be assisted by staff newcomer Isaiah Hickes.