By Madeline Zavala ’24
The Derby High School’s girl’s soccer team played their closest game this season against Torrington on Oct. 10 with a final score of 2-3.
The team traveled to play against Torrington High School. On this night, Torrington recognized their seniors as well as Derby’s senior players and manager. In the first 40 minutes of the game, Torrington took the lead with a score of 3-0 against Derby. Although it seemed like an easy game for Torrington and their seniors to celebrate their senior night, Derby put up an even bigger fight in the remaining 40 minutes of the game and did not allow Torrington to score another goal. Sarah Damasceno ‘24, one of the captains for the Derby team said, “When we played Torrington on their senior night, they set us up for an easy win, but our girls played their hearts out and left Torrington aggravated because the win wasn’t easy.”
The Derby players stepped up their defense as well as their offense and demonstrated the improvement they practiced for during summer conditioning and after school practices. “I think we have improved tremendously. We have had more shots on goal and made more goals this year than last year,” said Damasceno.
The first goal scored by Derby was by Damasceno somewhere along the 20-30 yard line which brought up the score to 1-3 against Torrington. Derby’s second and final goal was scored by Kayla Adams ‘25.
Eventually, Torrington made opportunities for themselves to score a goal but not only was DHS’s defense and offense improving their play, but captain and goalie Jessica Gerckens ‘24 would not allow another ball to touch the net. During the Derby vs. Torrington soccer game, Gerckens saved a total of 22 shots made by Torrington’s players. This was one of many amazing plays Gerckens has demonstrated for Derby.
Although the team did not come back with a win, Spanish teacher Francisco Salazar, head coach of the Derby girls soccer team, expressed how pleased he was with how the player played with their all that night. “You girls gave it your all and gave something the crowd can cheer for,” Salazar said on the night of the game.
“Our bond with the team has gotten stronger because we are all a group of sisters and we help each other on the field,” said Damasceno. The Derby girl’s soccer team has continued to show their dedication and improvement on the field as well as their close bond inspiring them to do their best.
The Raider Press 