Printer Friendly Version - Well-Versed EH Girls’ Soccer Showing Growth on the Field

Dalexa Pereanez is a senior captain as a center midfielder for the East Haven girls’ soccer squad, a mix of experienced players and youthful upstarts who have already improved upon their triumph tally from 2023. Photo by Victoria Fennell/The Courier

Senior Sofia Calixto has made a strong switch from offense to defense on the field this fall for the Yellowjackets girls’ soccer squad. Photo by Victoria Fennell/The Courier

The East Haven girls’ soccer squad is already on the fast track to making marked improvements over its past results. The center of the resurgence for the Yellowjackets has seemingly come from a group filled with depth at every grade and at every position–including some freshmen who have refused to shy away from the spotlight.

East Haven has piloted itself to a 2-8-1 record so far in 2024, already surpassing its prior win total following a 1-14-1 mark for the 2023 campaign. Head Coach Jake Hackett proclaimed that it is much of the same in terms of the team’s targets for the entire campaign. It is all about a slow, steady uphill climb each day in order to extend the campaign beyond the 17 allotted games on the schedule.

“Our goals this year are the same as every year,” said Hackett. “We want to get better every time we step on the field and to make the state tournament. This group is more than capable of achieving that.”

The tandem of senior captains this fall for the Yellowjackets are Hannah Dudley and Dalexa Pereanez. Dudley brings a defensive background as a center back who also plays in the midfield. Meanwhile, Pereanez resides in the crux of the action as a center midfielder.

Regardless of their background, the common denominators between these two leaders are their dedication to the team while setting a template for demeanor around the club.

“Hannah embodies every value we have here in this program. She’s a strong and compassionate leader who works hard every day and leads by example,” said Hackett. “Dalexa is also a good leader who does whatever the team asks or needs of her daily. We are really lucky to have two quality captains here.”

Elsewhere in the senior class, Sofia Calixto has made quite a successful leap from her 2023 position to a new assignment. Also in the defense, Val Orrego serves as a staunch focal point of that sector of the turf. Helping out on the perimeter of the pitch is outside midfielder Fatima Magana.

“Sofia has done a great job making the transition from striker to outside back, which shows a lot about the quality of her character to move to a new position as a senior and to do a great job,” said Hackett. “Val plays defense and helps anchor the unit. Fatima is a strong outside midfielder and consistently puts forth a quality performance on the wings.”

Moving to the junior ranks of the squad, Ali Borzillo is a midfield player who never backs down from a challenge as the ultimate gamer. Joining Magana on the flanks is another junior in Genesis Guillen.

“Ali is doing a great job in the center of the midfield, and she is the type of player who plays with grit and is always willing to battle in the middle,” Hackett said. “Genesis is another strong contributor out on the wings.”

Sophomore players consist of centerback Kiley Mazzucco, who is in the midst of her second year as a starter anchoring and leading the defensive unit. She is joined in the back by Abby Hopkins, who is also a two-year starter on the defense. Another sophomore and two-year starting veteran is Julia Torello, who Hackett declared, “whether deployed as a striker or a winger always puts forth a great showing in either role.”

Also at forward is a freshman in Maya Layedra–making a swell adjustment to the varsity pace of the game. In the box and controlling the net is another rookie in freshman Bella O’Mara. Additionally in the field is another midfielder in Mallory Rey, who is steadily gaining skill and experience in that spot.

“Maya is starting at forward as a freshman. Maya has adjusted quickly to the high school game and is doing well at striker,” said Hackett. “Bella is a top-class keeper; she has been exceptional so far and is a very talented goalkeeper. Mallory has put forth quality work in the midfield position and is growing stronger each game.”

East Haven resides in the Housatonic Division of the SCC with co-tenants Cheshire, Branford, Amity, and Law. The Yellowjackets garnered an early-season sweep against their nearby New Haven rivals. Yet they are looking to expand the map of their conquests with future clashes within the talented SCC. The girls are determined and confident: setting the potential stage for a successful second half of the run.

“We have had two wins so far vs. Career-Hillhouse [a 2-0 road shutout on Sept. 14] and Wilbur Cross [a 2-0 decision at home on Sept. 6], and those were each big moments for us,” said Hackett. “If we keep working hard and growing, there's nothing we can't achieve this season.”

Hackett is now in the middle of his eighth year of his tenure as East Haven’s head coach. Completing his coaching staff are assistant coaches Marley Herard, who is in her third season, and new face Molly Mazzucco.

The 2024 East Haven roster is comprised of seniors Orrego, Magana, Pereanez, Calixto, Maria Reino, Angelly Cordova; juniors Gianna Dilapi, Arielle Guadalupe, Guillen, Giulia D’Onofrio, Alessandra Borzillo, Sam Lopez; sophomores Adamaris Pasolini-Cali, Layedra, Sarah Blanchard, Madison McKeon, Kiley Mazzucco, Jaelyn Navarrete, Belen Arvizu-Tiapaya, Abigail Hopkins, Torello, Isabella Ortiz, Genieve Castro; plus freshmen Lucia Calixto-Velez, Paulina Reino, O’Mara, Emmaly Son, Vincenza Brown, Miranda Huaman, Maya Layedra, Rey, Mansi Patel, and Brittany Sayavony.