Durling relishing leadership role with Rowan
When the preseason started, Arianna Durling realized there were only three seniors on the Rowan women’s soccer team.
So, the former Steinert High star did what comes naturally, she became one of the Profs’ leaders.
“I came into my junior year knowing that we only had three seniors and that I had to come in as strong as possible,” said Durling.
Her leadership qualities shown through and the junior defender joined seniors, Daria Jones and Casey Lubonski as captains.
“It means a lot that I was nominated captain,” said Durling. “I hope to lead my team throughout the season along with Daria and Casey. I believe the three of us together will be really strong and in leading our team in the right direction and hopefully have good season.”
Two games are not a season, but Durling and the Profs are off to a 2-0 start and the defense, where Durling has started the last two years, has yet to give up a goal.
Rowan has outscored the opposition, 17-0.
“The defense has been really strong and hopefully that can continue,” said Durling. “We have so much to build on from last year. We have so much heart and we have such great team chemistry and I think that is going to be a big factor.”
Durling and classmate Aidan Sheehan and have been playing together since the U-8 days through Steinert and now at Rowan. Safe to say the two have chemistry.
“Aidan and I have been playing together since travel, then to Steinert and here,” said Durling. “It’s great to see familiar faces and it’s awesome to be going from rivals to teammates.”
Other players Durling faced in the area that are now teammates are Kelsey Holt (Lawrence), Amanda Leber (Hopewell Valley), Riley Finnegan (Hopewell Valley) and Jessica Logan (Northern Burlington).