Alex Pomeroy and Connor Ball
Staff Writers
The Jamesville-DeWitt High School Varsity Girls Soccer team fell one game short of becoming state champions last fall and are out for redemption. The Lady Rams have remained victorious and kicked their competitors throughout the years, winning seven consecutive sectional championships. Currently, the team stands with a winning record of 14-2 and are devoted to winning sectionals. The team has given dominating performances against Christian Brothers Academy, where they won 8-0, Fayetteville-Manlius, which was another shutout at 3-0, and West Genesee, where they won 4-1. The Lady Rams compete against Homer on Oct. 20 at Jamesville-DeWitt High School.
Early in the season, the Lady Rams encountered many setbacks and were forced to rearrange and adapt. After the first game against F-M, freshman starting goalie Katie Cappelletti was rushed to the hospital for appendicitis and, unfortunately, was sidelined for the following five games. Cappelletti “had to miss important games, especially the (Baldwinsville) game,” said junior Lainey Foti. To counter the setback, sophomore Emma Silverstein filled in as starting goalie. “Emma really stepped up,” said Foti. However, the injuries didn’t stop there; for sectionals, the Lady Rams are without one of their star players. Junior starter Ali Durkin tore her ACL and is out for sectionals. Head coach Hayley Nies said the team will miss the speed of their second leading scorer.
In order to become more of a unit, the team has pizza parties occasionally to bond together as a team. Freshman Sydney Baker is one of the four freshman on the teams, says she fits right in and doesn’t feel uncomfortable. Everyone gets along,” said Baker, and Coach Nies agrees.
Despite some difficulties the Lady Rams have faced, their mind is set on “going far in sectionals.” said Silverstein. The team’s former success hasn’t been easy. Sweat and dedication keep the team’s chances alive. “Practices have gotten more intense,” said senior captain Alex Catanzarite.
