Although sharing leadership can oftentimes be a difficult task, Captains Dana Feeny ’08, Jenna Castellot ’08 and Rosie Raymond-Sidel ’08 have come together to form admirable coherence, setting an outstanding example. While each is a talented athlete, it is their ability to bring the Andover Girls Soccer team together that has really proved to be their most beneficial contribution. Post-Graduate Shannon Neschke ’08 said, “Dana’s attitude is always positive and she’s the hardest working player out there. She plays with the same spirit whether we’re playing well or having a rough game. The team wouldn’t be the same without the nightly inspirational emails from Jenna about how to focus, and Rosie is an absolute competitor as soon as she steps on the field, but she’s also always the first to cheer the team up with jokes while preparing for the game.” Each girl adds a different element to the mix and are respected for their individual strengths, but their combined efforts has lead to several successful games including Andover’s inspirational win against Loomis Chaffee earlier this Fall, with a final score of 2-1. Coming off a 51-game winning streak, the unexpected loss for Loomis pocketed a sweet victory for Andover having lost 0-4 the previous year. In the game, all three captains demonstrated their talent, specifically as Raymond-Sidel flawlessly placed a corner kick that assisted the first goal. Some of this success undoubtedly can be credited to their assured focus. The three captains all set out different goals at the beginning of the season, adding to the achievement of the balance. Feeny said her primary goal as captain was to provide support for her teammates. She said, “I always want to make sure I was approachable” Raymond-Sidel explained that her goal was to create a team environment where it was acceptable to be unapologetically competitive. She said, “Too often girls are discouraged from competing, and it’s a certain aggressive fire that can bring a team to some hard-earned wins.” The captains also agreed that dedication and enthusiasm are the most important values a captain should bring to a team, but after being elected captain , there were a few surprises. Feeny commented that she did not realize how much captains and coaches collaborate. She said, “Whether it is to discuss the raining plan for the week or even just the moods of the players, the coaches turn to the captains for input.” Like several of their fellow captains among the Andover student body, Feeny, Castellot and Raymond-Sidel also agreed that the toughest duty as captain is to always set the best example and carry the responsibility of strongly influencing how the team plays on any give day. All three captains have all been playing soccer since childhood and agree that playing soccer at Andover has been an unforgettable experience. A four-year member of the team, Raymond-Sidel said, “For better or worse soccer has sort of defined me at Andover.” Feeney said, “From ridiculous team psyches to pep rally skits, team world cup games, long bus rides all the way to hard-earned wins on the field, I wouldn’t trade my experience on the team for anything.” With strong leadership and coherence among the team this year, Girls Varsity Soccer is fighting hard for a chance at the New England Championship.
