WEST MILFORD — The West Milford High School girl’s soccer program features four team captains this season and, although each student-athlete impacts the team in her own unique way, they all want the same thing - success and a bright future for the Highlanders.
Jacy DiZenzo, Chelsea Gruber, Leisha Noble and Victoria Torp, all of whom are seniors, have contributed positively in the roles as captains for West Milford and they are doing their best to make sure that the future of the program is solid.
West Milford head girl’s soccer coach Natalie Buongiorno is elated with the way in which her team captains work together.
“The dynamic of these four captains from the start has been (just that) dynamic,” Buongiorno said. “They stepped up as leaders this year and took charge during the pre-season in getting the girls ready for the upcoming season. Jacy and Victoria control the middle of the field and work well together side by side.
“Leisha has been a play maker from the start. She helps in transitioning and counter attacks on the field. Chelsea is an extremely hard worker. She started the season with us and unfortunately, due to an injury, couldn’t finish. However she has been on the sidelines to support her team. Each of the girls are looked up to as role models on the team. They display leadership characteristics which made it an easy choice for captains this year.”
The four team captains are doing whatever is needed to make sure that the Highlanders improve not only game by game, but indeed day by day through the strong example that they set. West Milford has grown as a team from the first day of practice to this point late in the regular season, according to their coach.
“They have been working together nicely as a team,” Buongiorno said. “I believe as a whole, as a unit, they have matured together. What once was 11 individuals playing is now one team working together towards a common goal. Our goal this year was simply to improve, not only our record from last year, but improve our team dynamic and our level of play. We recognize we are in a difficult conference, but the girls step up to the challenge each game and simply try their best. I believe anyone can teach someone a few skills; it's heart and the hunger for the game that can’t be taught and these girls have worked hard to improve and have displayed heart each time they’ve stepped onto the field.
“Many times the scores do not reflect how they played, and when they know they tried their hardest and may have lost, they come off the field knowing they worked hard up until the last second. They have improved their quality of play, and it makes me proud to be their coach. We went from winning one game last year to up until now (six wins through Oct. 26) this year. It’s a big improvement and the coaching staff and the girls are proud.”