Tony Leone had a long-term plan when he took over as the Newington High School girls soccer coach last year. He just didn't implement it. It didn't work. Newington was 5-9-2 and missed the postseason. "After last year, I told them we did it your way and now it's my way," Leone said. "If we were going to compete, we had to change the way we did things around here." Newington did just that and is 8-3-2 as of Monday and rolling after its most successful week in nearly two years.
Tony Leone had a long-term plan when he took over as the Newington High School girls soccer coach last year.
He just didn't implement it.
Instead, Leone, who had won a state championship at Cromwell, decided to wait.
He was the new guy on the block, so he decided to be patient, let the players do it their way.
It didn't work.
Newington was 5-9-2 and missed the postseason.
"After last year, I told them we did it your way and now it's my way," Leone said. "If we were going to compete, we had to change the way we did things around here."
Newington did just that and is 9-3-2 as of Monday and rolling after its most successful week in nearly two years.
Last week, the Indians defeated fellow tournament contenders Farmington and Hall with a pair of come-from-behind victories.
Newington rallied from a goal down to beat Farmington 2-1 and came from 2-0 down to beat Hall 4-2 in overtime.
"We knew what the goal was this season, and it was to compete in the CCC West," Leone said.
The Indians play aggressively and have wins against Farmington, Hall, Southington and Conard ? all teams that they struggled against last season.
"The mentality of the girls has been amazing," Leone said. "They just have a never-give-up attitude. They never waver."
But that was only part of the plan. Beyond changing the attitude, Leone made the players commit to the sport more in the off-season.
"I wanted them with a soccer ball on their feet consistently," Leone said.
He also wanted to rid the program of entitlement. Instead, every player got a chance to help the team, not just the veteran players. So far, that's been the case. Led by seniors Meaghan Gustufson, Jalen Middlebrooks and Bridget Makles, Newington has found success because of its mixed roster. The Indians have gotten contributions from everyone, including freshmen Rachel Elliott and Kaila Lozada, and junior Brianna Boyko.
"I've learned a lot from the group and it's just been a great atmosphere to be around," Leone said.
Mercy's Big Turnaround
Mercy ended last season with six wins. This season, the Tigers have doubled that total.
Mercy picked up its 12th win and eighth straight Monday with a 4-0 victory over Sheehan at Mercy High School.
The Tigers (12-1-2) haven't allowed a goal since Oct. 5 and now have 13 shutouts.
Led by goalie Liz Falcigno, who has allowed just three goals and has a 3.83 save percentage, and defenders Hope Tiezzi, Kelsey Pietruska and Alex Zampini, Mercy has one of the most efficient defenses in the state. Because of it, the Tigers have shot to the top of the SCC as well as Class LL. Mercy has the best record in the SCC with Cheshire and is in the top 10 in Class LL. For Mercy and third-year coach Marcus Harley, it has been quite the turnaround since he took over in 2010. The Tigers were 9-18-5 the past two seasons.
Kennedy Sisters Lead Classical
With the help of sisters Taylor and Shannon Kennedy, Classical (9-3) has become not only one of the toughest offenses to stop in the CSC but also in Class S. The sisters, separated by two years, have combined for 33 goals, which is 80 percent of the team's total. ... Northwest Catholic's perfect season faced its first true scare last week when Southington led the Indians by one in the second half. The Indians (13-0) scored two unanswered goals for the win. ? Avon and Suffield tied 1-1 in the second game of the season. On Tuesday, the two rivals play at Avon High School at 7 p.m. in a game that likely will decide the NCCC regular season champion. Avon is 11-1-1 and Suffield is 11-0-1. The Wildcats have allowed just once goal since that game.
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