Terriers Takes Down Highlanders in Portland

Rocky Hill girls’ soccer is finding their stride.
           
After starting the season with a home loss, the Terriers have reeled off five straight games without a blemish.
           
On Sept. 26, the Terriers defeated Portland 3-1 in an out-of-conference bout at Portland High School.
           
Head coach Annmarie Catania said her team, which features several young players in the starting line-up, is quickly becoming a solidified bunch.  
           
“It takes a good amount of time to feel each other out and for the younger ones to get more confidence,” said Catania. “I think they are getting there.”
           
Senior captain Gianna Nanci, who is captaining the team with Sofia Scalise, Sarah Whelan, and Kate Oostendorp, said that the handful of games on the field has sharpened the team’s skills and help them communicate better on the field.
           
“I think there is a lot more chemistry. We’ve become better friends, so we’ve become a lot more comfortable on the field,” added Nanci. “We had problems in the beginning finishing, but now we’re finding our sweet spot.” 
           
In the win over the Highlanders, three of the team’s rising stars found the back of the net. 
           
Sophomore Kaitlyn Pereau dropped in a free kick over the head of Portland goal Lauren Eckert in the 23rd minute. 
           
Eight minutes later, Olivia DiBiase booted in a rebound, putting the Terriers up 2-0.
           
The Highlanders narrowed the deficit on a goal from Camryn DiMauro in the closing minute of the first half before Rocky Hill’s standout goalie Emelia Pacheco-Hager shut the door in the second half, stopping all seven shots he faced.
           
The sophomore goalie finished with 10 total saves. 
           
Pacheco-Hager is getting support from a stout, experienced defense. Freshman Hannah Corraro also shined defensively, thwarting a handful of attacks from the Highlanders. 
           
Catania called Corraro “a stud” and said she has a bright future. 
           
Entering the week, the Terriers stands at 3-1-2 and haven’t loss since the season opener, a 1-0 defeat to Wethersfield. The team’s other two wins are a pair of 8-0 victories over Hartford Public and Bloomfield.
           
​Next up is a road game at Windsor this Friday, Oct. 7 at 3:45 p.m. The Terriers return home on Tuesday, Oct. 11 to welcome Middletown to McVicar Field for a game under the light at 6 p.m.