The Lady Bulldogs were led by former Lakeview alumni Anna Paolucci, this 2023 soccer season. Paolucci was assisted by her father Vince Paolucci, and volunteer Anthony Augustine. She was also mentored by boys soccer coach Nicholas Facciolo who is also a Lakeview alumni along with a current Lakeview Teacher.
This season was met with many highs and lows. With a fresh coach and new freshman adjusting and only one senior, the Lady Dogs had many adjustments to make this season. They started off their season with training starting in January, along with countless scrimmages, morning practices, and late nights. The Lady Bulldogs put in all the effort possible to be successful this season.
The Lady Bulldogs ended their season with a 12-5-1 record. Although they did not make it as far as the Regional Semi-Finals of last year, they did have a winning season! The ladies compete in the NE8 with many competitors. Their biggest competitor in the conference was Poland Seminary, which unfortunately ended in two losses. While outside of the conference, Champion became a powerhouse. Champion was an undefeated team all season who went all the way to the Regional Finals.
The Bulldogs and the Flashes have had a long rooted rivalry for years, boys and girls teams alike. Fortunately, the boys beat Champion in the beginning of the season. Unfortunately, the Lady Bulldogs lost to the champion 1-0 as their first game, but the Bulldogs got right back up and fought for the rest of the season.
The Lady Bulldogs were 3rd seed on the playoff board. Champion was 1st and Poland was 2nd. The Bulldogs gained a BYE week from being 3rd seed, but once their week finally came around, they destroyed the first round of competition 6-2. Afterwards they faced off against long rivaled school, Champion, which led to the demise of the soccer season. The ladies lost in a 6-1 battle.
Many of the athletes felt defeated and disappointed the season ended in such a way. I spoke to Freshman Sophie Irwin, Sophomore Nora Lewis, and Sophomore Makenna Doran about how they felt the season ended.
Irwin said, “Overall, I think we did really well as a team and kept improving as the season went along. We always built each other up and had positive feedback for one another in games as well as at practice. I fell in the games leading up to the end of the season. We put more work and effort into everything we did. We really wanted to go far, and beat Champion, but even though we didn’t I’m so proud of how well we worked together.” Very well said!
Lewis added, “Throughout the season, our team showcased the true meaning of resilience. Even when we were down, we never gave up. We regrouped, refocused, and came back stronger in many games. Even though our season was cut short it wasn’t just about winning or losing, it was about growing together, learning from our experiences, and realizing that we needed to rely on each other. This season has left us with unforgettable memories that go beyond just the field.”
Doran followed Lewis’s statement up with, “This season, I believe that we performed great as a team. And, as the season went on we grew closer together, including our bonds. Although it ended with a loss, I believe that this season went greatly and we achieved many good things. Our team is going to continue to grow, and I am very excited for our team’s future.”
Although the Lady Bulldogs may have experienced a minor setback and even a pretty defeating loss, they continue to have pride and are excited for the future! Great season ladies!
