Close team bond helps IC Catholic Prep girls soccer team reach state semifinals.
By Mike Miazga
Correpsondent
As IC Catholic Prep girls soccer senior co-captain Kaitlyn Grady explains it, there was one word on the team’s mind at the beginning of the season.
“The word was breakthrough,” she said. “Like break through to the state finals. Everybody has been focused on the bigger picture this year.”
And the Knights did just that—they broke through and qualified for the Class 1A state semifinals for the first time in school history. The Knights finished fourth in the state.
“Everybody knew that over the whole season we had to focus hard,” said Grady. “If we didn’t, we wouldn’t make it to state. We had a lot of talent on the team and we were really motivated to win.”
Grady noticed the team zeroing in on critical factors in its game this season. “We definitely focused more on good passing instead of kick and chase,” she said. “We focused more on finding the open space and working our outside midfielders so they have open crosses. We had good team drive.”
Fellow senior captain Liz Maloney saw plenty of things in the beginning of the season that indicated a special season may be forthcoming.
“We’ve had great team energy since the beginning of the season,” said Maloney last week. “We have talent and we combined that with positive energy and team unity. We learned to play as a team and not as individuals. We set this goal at the beginning of the season and now we’ve realized it. I always believed we could do it. It’s a great feeling.”
Maloney lauded the efforts of coach Tom Schergen (who recently was promoted to the school’s president position) this season. “He puts everybody in the right position so they could be used to the best of their ability,” she said. “Girls are able to use their talents the best way possible. He’s been unbelievable as a coach. He’s changed the team tremendously. He’s helped us improve as a team. You want to play well for him.”
Senior co-captain Tessa Langan said the trust factor for the team on the field also played a major role in the success it achieved.
“It’s nice to be able to trust people. I trust that we have a strong defense behind us,” she said. “I know everybody is out there playing their hearts out. That makes it easier to score goals on offense.”
Grady points to the team’s trip to a tournament in Iowa earlier in the season as a key date in its progression.
“I love the bond the team has,” she said. “We’ve very close as a team. The Iowa trip was fun because it helped us bond as a team. Everybody looks out for each other. The girls on the bench always are celebrating a good pass. Everybody supports each other. We are a family and that’s something I really like.”
Maloney added: “We make it so fun. It’s not a chore going to practice. We use positive energy and positive vernacular and that’s why we enjoy each other. For instance, Grace Fuller always has something funny to say even when you are at your lowest points or when we are down on ourselves.”
Grady is one of five players who spent four years on the IC Catholic Prep varsity along with Langan, Tess Reardon, Maloney and Demitra DelFiaccio.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Grady. “It’s amazing to finish up at the state tournament your senior year. There is not a better way to finish out your high-school career.”
Langan adds: “It means a lot to us. We set a goal at the beginning of the season to make it to state and now that we made it, the feeling is great. For all the seniors who played the last four years, it’s hard to say goodbye. We all put in a lot of hard work. It’s been a fun ride.”
