This year, the Caldwell girls soccer program has created a freshman girls soccer team for the first time in the long history of the organization. According to the coaching staff, the large enrollment numbers that the team was facing this year necessitated adding more games to accommodate all players and ensure that everyone was able to receive equal playing time. Head coach Kelli Josephsen reasons, “We had parent advocates who saw the numbers that we were facing and advocated to the Board of Education for a freshman team for this year, and hopefully many, many years to come.” The freshman team currently has seventeen players, who play not only the freshman games but the JV games as well. In order to ensure that no player exceeds the state-mandated number of games per season, the freshman coach Emily Blankenship creates a rotating schedule that allows each player to receive playing time safely and in an environment that will help them improve their skill set.
The freshman team has a record of 4-4-0 as of October 7th, which is a positive sign considering it is the team’s first year in the program. As JV and freshman player Zoe Coppola articulates, “We’re a new team, so we’re still adjusting, but honestly, for being a new team, it’s been good. However, in the future, we’re going to win a lot more freshman games after getting used to each other.” The team has come up against tough competition, and has held their own against difficult, highly-ranked teams such as Morris Plains and Cranford. They have chemistry on and off the field, and as the season goes on, they have found their places as individuals and begun to work together cohesively and successfully. Coach Emily Blankenship, the head coach of the freshman team, specifies, “I think they’re a better team than their record shows, for sure.” In the meantime, the freshmen are working hard in games and practices to improve their skills and field composition. Notable wins so far for the team include West Essex (whom they beat both at home and away), Livingston, and East Side.
As far as the longevity of the Freshman team goes, it will all depend on the interest from the incoming class in the coming years. If the large number of players that are interested this year continues, the freshman team will be able to carry into next season and beyond, but if not, it may not be able to live on. Tenured coach Mike Teshkoyan, who has been with the program since its inception 40 years ago, aptly states. “Every year is a case-by-case basis. It’s working really well this year…everybody’s getting playing time. It’s a great situation.” Needless to say, the progression of the freshman team seems like a logical next step for the Caldwell Girls Soccer program, and both coaches and players hope to see it continue in the coming seasons.
Though the freshman team is an exciting and important development for girls soccer, it doesn’t tell the whole story of the current team. The eighteen JV freshmen, along with four JV sophomores, compose the junior varsity team, which has gotten off to a very promising start this season. Their current record is 7-0-1 as of October 7th, and coaches think they show great potential for the remainder of the season. Coach Teshkoyan, who also heads up the JV coaching staff, sings the praises of the team, enthusiastically stating, “They’re warriors. They play hard, they’ve got great skill, and the bond is terrific…the skill is tremendous. It’s been my pleasure to be the coach.” So far, notable games for the JV team include Mount St. Dominic, whom they tied 1-1, and wins against Verona, Glen Ridge, Montclair Kimberly Academy, and Newark Academy.
Not only has the JV team created a truly amazing record for themselves, they have a deep bond that goes beyond the field. The coaches have attributed their success not only to their skill and determination, but their ability to communicate and know where their teammates are on the field. Hard work, resolve, and pure connection have allowed them to go far this season, and coaches have high hopes of finishing with an excellent record.
As a whole, Caldwell girls soccer is known for its emphasis on team bonding and support, with activities and games during practices meant solely to increase communication and understanding. Welcoming others is paramount, and being a good teammate is certainly a more important attribute than scoring goals. Coach Phoebe Bledsoe, assistant coach of the varsity team, embodies the essence of Caldwell girls soccer when she states, “Just show up, give it your all, have fun, and be a good person. You’ll go far.”
