Improved Millis girls’ soccer team eyes tourney success
The 2023 girls’ soccer team at Millis High relies on depth, experience, a high soccer IQ, and athleticism. Courtesy photo
By KEN HAMWEY
Staff Sports Writer
The Millis High girls’ soccer team won two matches during the regular season last year but still managed to earn a berth in the state tournament.
“Last year, we had only three seniors and we were a very young team,’’ said Coach Olivia Zitoli, who is now in her fourth year at the helm. “This year’s team has 15 returning players with different degrees of experience.’’
The Mohawks’ overall strengths are many and Zitoli rattles them off with a smile. “We’ve got depth, experience, a high soccer IQ, athleticism, mental toughness and excellent team chemistry,’’ she emphasized. “In spite of losing so many matches last year, the 15 players continued to work hard and build team chemistry. They also strived to sharpen their skills.’’
All of these positives led Zitoli to set some lofty but achievable goals at the start of the season.
“Working hard and daily improvement topped my list,’’ she noted. “Then, we planned on compiling a .500 record with an eye towards competing admirably in the TVL Small Division. And our final goal was to qualify for the tourney and advance as deep as possible.’’
Thanks to a plethora of senior moments, a tourney invite seems likely. Zitoli has seven seniors who play vital roles and four of them are captains. They include Riley Caulfield (defensive midfielder), Isabelle Jewett (outside midfielder), Abigail Powers (outside defender) and Emily Steiner (center back).
“The captains lead with their words and their actions on and off the field,’’ Zitoli said. “Their leadership styles vary. Some lead by example, some by being vocal and communicative, and others by showing support. They’ve all displayed a strong work ethic and have helped to build team chemistry.’’
Caulfield has a variety of strengths. “Riley has a high soccer IQ, mental toughness and tremendous field awareness,’’ Zitoli said. “Her accuracy is excellent, her passing is effective and she strikes the ball hard, especially at the net.
Jewett runs in effort-less fashion. “Isabelle has terrific endurance,’’ Zitoli noted. “She’s very effective in transition, able to switch from offense to defense with no problem. A vocal leader, she plays fast and aggressively for an entire game.’’
Powers is a tenacious defender. “Abigail is so talented on defense,’’ Zitoli said. “She’s often called on to defend the top strikers in the TVL. She also contributes to our offensive game with lots of stamina on the wing.’’
Steiner is the leader of the back line. “Emily is a gifted defender,’’ Zitoli offered. “She’s got great technique in moving the ball in passing situations. Her soccer IQ is high and her field sense is outstanding.’’
Senior forward Hailey Bassett is “our best 50-50 ball winner.’’ Zitoli likes her physical style. “Hailey is a great asset in front of the net. She has good awareness of the net and is a strong scoring threat.’’
Senior Marissa Herrlein plays outside back and handles that position well. “Marissa is tenacious, tough and physical,’’ Zitoli said. “She also is good in 50-50 situations. She displays lots of speed and hustle on the wing.’’
Senior Reaghan McMahon is a consistent forward. “Reaghan has very good field awareness and is effective on combination plays in the offensive end. She’s got a good knowledge of the game.’’
The 32-year-old Zitoli is pleased with the style of play her players have embraced. “We’re disciplined on defense, and we rely on a strong possession game with quick combination plays that help us attack the net,” she said.
Zitoli’s competitive philosophy focuses on several key aspects. “We stress the importance of building on all of last year’s hard work,’’ she said. “We strive to improve daily and to enjoy the athletic journey. And we want to win more than we did last year.’’
Zitoli knows that sports teach life lessons and she hopes her players learn five important ones. “Athletics can help our players learn to be accountable, to be good teammates, to lead, to overcome adversity and to learn time management,” she said.
Millis’ varsity assistant coaches are Molly Breen, Denise Caulfield and Yvonne Fitzgerald. Glen Panciocco is the jayvee coach, Fitzgerald guides the freshmen and Tim Howden coaches the middle-school team.
Zitoli is no stranger to Millis or competitive athletics. She graduated from Millis High in 2010 after outstanding seasons in soccer and basketball. She was a captain and a TVL all-star in both sports.
Zitoli competed in soccer for William Smith College in Geneva, NY. She was a center back on the college’s 2013 team that won the Division 3 national championship and she earned Division 3 All-American honors.
Next March, the Millis 2009 girls’ soccer team that won a state championship will be inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Zitoli was a key contributor on that squad.
That accolade no doubt will be memorable but Olivia Zitoli is intensely focused on the present. Tourney time has arrived and the coach is hoping her Mohawks will enjoy their post-season journey.
Staff Sports Writer
The Millis High girls’ soccer team won two matches during the regular season last year but still managed to earn a berth in the state tournament.
Hit the fast-forward button to this season and it appears that the Mohawks again will be a playoff participant. But there’s one glaring difference: winning is more prevalent. At Local Town Pages’ deadline, Millis had a 5-5-2 record and was No. 8 in the MIAA Division 5 power rankings. The Mohawks’ strong Tri Valley League schedule should also play a key role in clinching a playoff berth.
Olivia Zitoli is in her fourth year as coach of the Millis girls’ soccer team. Courtesy photo
The Mohawks’ overall strengths are many and Zitoli rattles them off with a smile. “We’ve got depth, experience, a high soccer IQ, athleticism, mental toughness and excellent team chemistry,’’ she emphasized. “In spite of losing so many matches last year, the 15 players continued to work hard and build team chemistry. They also strived to sharpen their skills.’’
All of these positives led Zitoli to set some lofty but achievable goals at the start of the season.
“Working hard and daily improvement topped my list,’’ she noted. “Then, we planned on compiling a .500 record with an eye towards competing admirably in the TVL Small Division. And our final goal was to qualify for the tourney and advance as deep as possible.’’
Thanks to a plethora of senior moments, a tourney invite seems likely. Zitoli has seven seniors who play vital roles and four of them are captains. They include Riley Caulfield (defensive midfielder), Isabelle Jewett (outside midfielder), Abigail Powers (outside defender) and Emily Steiner (center back).
“The captains lead with their words and their actions on and off the field,’’ Zitoli said. “Their leadership styles vary. Some lead by example, some by being vocal and communicative, and others by showing support. They’ve all displayed a strong work ethic and have helped to build team chemistry.’’
Caulfield has a variety of strengths. “Riley has a high soccer IQ, mental toughness and tremendous field awareness,’’ Zitoli said. “Her accuracy is excellent, her passing is effective and she strikes the ball hard, especially at the net.
Jewett runs in effort-less fashion. “Isabelle has terrific endurance,’’ Zitoli noted. “She’s very effective in transition, able to switch from offense to defense with no problem. A vocal leader, she plays fast and aggressively for an entire game.’’
Powers is a tenacious defender. “Abigail is so talented on defense,’’ Zitoli said. “She’s often called on to defend the top strikers in the TVL. She also contributes to our offensive game with lots of stamina on the wing.’’
Steiner is the leader of the back line. “Emily is a gifted defender,’’ Zitoli offered. “She’s got great technique in moving the ball in passing situations. Her soccer IQ is high and her field sense is outstanding.’’
Senior forward Hailey Bassett is “our best 50-50 ball winner.’’ Zitoli likes her physical style. “Hailey is a great asset in front of the net. She has good awareness of the net and is a strong scoring threat.’’
Senior Marissa Herrlein plays outside back and handles that position well. “Marissa is tenacious, tough and physical,’’ Zitoli said. “She also is good in 50-50 situations. She displays lots of speed and hustle on the wing.’’
Senior Reaghan McMahon is a consistent forward. “Reaghan has very good field awareness and is effective on combination plays in the offensive end. She’s got a good knowledge of the game.’’
The 32-year-old Zitoli is pleased with the style of play her players have embraced. “We’re disciplined on defense, and we rely on a strong possession game with quick combination plays that help us attack the net,” she said.
Zitoli’s competitive philosophy focuses on several key aspects. “We stress the importance of building on all of last year’s hard work,’’ she said. “We strive to improve daily and to enjoy the athletic journey. And we want to win more than we did last year.’’
Zitoli knows that sports teach life lessons and she hopes her players learn five important ones. “Athletics can help our players learn to be accountable, to be good teammates, to lead, to overcome adversity and to learn time management,” she said.
Millis’ varsity assistant coaches are Molly Breen, Denise Caulfield and Yvonne Fitzgerald. Glen Panciocco is the jayvee coach, Fitzgerald guides the freshmen and Tim Howden coaches the middle-school team.
Zitoli is no stranger to Millis or competitive athletics. She graduated from Millis High in 2010 after outstanding seasons in soccer and basketball. She was a captain and a TVL all-star in both sports.
Zitoli competed in soccer for William Smith College in Geneva, NY. She was a center back on the college’s 2013 team that won the Division 3 national championship and she earned Division 3 All-American honors.
Next March, the Millis 2009 girls’ soccer team that won a state championship will be inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Zitoli was a key contributor on that squad.
That accolade no doubt will be memorable but Olivia Zitoli is intensely focused on the present. Tourney time has arrived and the coach is hoping her Mohawks will enjoy their post-season journey.
