Freeport boasts experience and youth

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Age and experience aren’t always interchangeable terms.  

Witness Freeport’s girls’ soccer team – which began play this season with only two seniors, but whose roster consists entirely of returners, including nine starters from last year’s squad, which finished third in Conference AA-3 at 4-3-1, 5-3-1 overall.

“I’ve had many of these girls since middle-school,” said second-year head coach Vanessa Vidalon, who was Freeport’s girls’ junior varsity skipper for eight years before moving up last season. “We all came up through the system together, and we’ve grown together. These girls know the game and each other very well.

“My younger girls from last year are now the elders,” Vidalon continued. “It’s great to see some of them take on a leadership role.”

Team co-captain Camryn Taylor, Freeport’s lone starting senior, has been exemplary in this regard, said Vidalon, as the outside defender heads a defensive corps that has frustrated early opponents.

“Camryn is a strong personality,” said Vidalon, whose Lady Red Devils moved to 2-0 in AA-3 after season-opening road wins at Hempstead, 4-2, and Westbury, 5-0. “She has really become the commander on the field.”

Junior co-captain Mia Almonte leads Freeport’s offense at forward, pacing the club in scoring while taking pains to promote heightened performance generally.

“Mia’s extremely dedicated and determined,” Vidalon said. “She goes out of her way to work with other players. She’s a quiet leader who really pushes players, but in a nurturing way.”

A varsity starter since the eighth grade, sophomore Melissa Moreno returns as the Lady Red Devils’ playmaking forward.

“Melissa’s a girl who plays smart, even though she’s still really young,” Vidalon said. “She’s grown from being a little bit timid into a confident player. I know I’ll depend on her more and more.”

Freeport’s third co-captain Hayley Matthews has lately assumed expanded duties, as the junior midfielder increasingly advises Vidalon on matters of strategy.

“Hayley has been with me since the seventh grade,” Vidalon said.  “She knows soccer inside and out, and she sometimes helps me on the sidelines, and to recognize where players’ talents can be used best.  She’ll make a good coach someday.”

Also at midfield for Freeport are sophomores Kelcy Woodward and Kiara Chombo, as well as junior Eolyn Carbajal, with junior Lenox Pinczehelyi at outside fullback. 

“Kelcy has such talent for someone so young,” Vidalon said.  “She works hard but makes it seem effortless.  Kiara at first didn’t want to play defense, and now she’s my strongest defender.  She oozes confidence on the field.”

A sophomore goalkeeping duo forms the final element of Freeport’s youth brigade, with Gabriela Rios and Tyler Hawkins – both on varsity since the seventh grade – rotating starting turns in goal.

“My goalies are amazing,” Vidalon said.  “They each put their heart and soul into the game.  And now they’re starting to see good things come from that work.

“All the girls have worked hard,” Vidalon concluded.  “I think if we keep playing hard and smart, we have a good chance to get to the postseason.”