Expectations high for Amity
The expectations are always high when it comes to the Amity girls soccer program. This season hasn’t been any different.
At 8-2-1, the Spartans are right in the mix for high seeds in both the Southern Connecticut Conference and Class LL state tournaments.
“We were expecting to do well,” Amity coach Owen Quigley said. “For the next year and the year after, we will be right there. We won’t have the seniors, but they have laid a good foundation for the underclassmen.”
The seven seniors — midfielder Cailey Esposito, midfielder/forward Kaylee Huber, midfielder Paige DeGoursey, midfielder Victoria Krzyspztopik, defender/midfielder Madelyn Pickett, midfielder/ forward Julia Potter and defender Olivia Kudasik — have all been key contributors to Amity’s success. Quigley also praised indicated the freshmen class — five of whom have earned significant playing time this season.
“They (the freshmen) bring ability, soccer IQ, and just good love for the game. The seniors I have also bring that,” Quigley said. “It’s a very good freshmen class. … The upperclassmen have been terrific. They have bought into what we need to do (to be successful).”
In its last loss, to Shelton on Oct. 2, Amity was able to create good chances to score, but couldn’t cash in. Shelton won 3-0 on Amity’s home field in a matchup of former SCC Housatonic Division rivals.
“No excuses, we got off to bad start in the Shelton game. They owned the first half,” Quigley said. “I tried to tell (the players) that you have to show up all the time. Shelton brought its best game and we did not.”
Amity has beaten Sheehan, Hand and Sacred Heart Academy since that loss. A rematch with Cheshire looms on Wednesday. The Spartans won 2-0 the first time around.
Any positive result at this point would only improve Amity’s seeding in the for the postseason. Five teams in the Class LL division have yet to suffer a loss, including Shelton.
“The SCC is completely wide open. I wouldn’t be surprised if any one of five or six teams won the title,” Quigey said. “LL is FCIACloaded. We can get to the quarterfinals. I’d be shocked if we don’t.”
THE UNBEATENS
There are currently still 11 teams that have yet to lose a game.
In LL, St. Joseph sits atop the seedings at 11-0-1 and hosts Ridgefield Monday at 4 p.m. in Trumbull. Ridgefield not only suffered its first loss Saturday (1-0) to New Canaan, but also allowed its first goal.
Shelton (10-0-1) is the lone unbeaten in the SCC. Glastonbury (9-0-1), Suffield (8-0-1) and Staples (11-0-3) are also unbeaten in LL
There are just two unbeatens in Class L: Watertown (10-0-2) and Woodstock Academy (9-0-2). East Hampton (4-0-3) stands alone in Class S. Platt Tech (10-0), Lewis Mills (9-0) and Granby (10-0-1) are without a defeat in M.