By Michael Letendre
The bench might be a little bit on the thin side for the Bristol Eastern girls soccer squad in 2022 but the program is excited to get the season underway.
Head coach Scott Redman is going to be counting on conditioning and experience to keep the Kingstreeters in matches this season.
And Redman can see, despite having low numbers in terms of varsity experience, that a path to state tournament is certainly within reach for the Lancers’ program.
Here’s a quick look of what to expect from Eastern this year:
BRISTOL EASTERN GIRLS SOCCER
Head coach: Scott ‘Redeye’ Redman
Last Season: Eastern went 5-8-2 overall, qualifying for the Class L Tournament. As the No. 27 seed, the Lancers fell in first round play to No. 6 Edwin O. Smith, 3-0.
Strength: Enthusiasm
Weakness: DEPTH
Key Losses: Ciara Collins (Midfield/Forward); Audra Porowski (Defense); Grace D’Amato (Keeper); Maura Cyr (Defense).
Bristol Eastern 2022 Girls Soccer Line-up: Abigale Pelletier (jr.), Keeper; Cecelia Gilbert (sr.), Defense; Emma Stavens (jr.), Midfield; Leah Roy (so.), Midfield; Taigan Parent (sr.), Defense; Megan Krok (so.), Midfield; Maria Perrone (so.), Forward; Julia Armington (sr.), Defense; Emily Piendak (sr.), Defense/Forward; Maggie Kozikowski (so.), Defense/Forward; Kate Patterson (fr.), Midfield/Forward; Shannon Philippon (fr.), Defense/Midfield.
What to expect from the program: The Lancers have some pieces in place this season, but a strong senior crew graduated, others did not return to the team, and it will be up to several first-year varsity contributors to get up to speed quickly.
“We have a lot to replace with many key contributors from last year moving on,” said Redman.” However, we have a nice core of young and hungry players ready to step in and compete.”
Senior Cecelia Gilbert certainly has the defensive credentials and is one of those experienced hands Redman will be turning to.
She’s a two-time CCC South All-Conference pick and is one of the leaders of the squad.
Joining Gilbert on the back line will be seniors Taigan Parent , Julia Armington and Emily Piendak along with sophomore Maggie Kozikowski and freshmen Shannon Philippon.
Parent is one of those jack-of-all-trade athletes and don’t be surprised if she flips in a goal or two along the way.
Junior Abigale Pelletier takes over for Grace D’Amato in the net and is eager for the challenge.
She got to learn from a good one in D’Amato and Pelletier should be another solid player leading the charge on the back line.
JuniorEmma Stavens is an experienced midfielder that could be one of the squad’s leading scorers while sophomores Leah Roy and Megan Krok help make up the rotation.
Sophomore Maria Perrone will be up at forward while Piendak and Kozikowski could also see minutes up front as well.
If this squad can work, scratch and claw for forty minutes every match – and not pass out in the process – the Lancers will be able to snare its share of victories this season and make another postseason appearance.
But if opponents want to quicken the pace, it won’t help the Kingstreeters in the least.
CCC South outlook: Eastern won’t be able to duck anyone as the squad opens the 2022 docket against Lewis Mills and Berlin – a tough start to the season.
The Lancers travel to Mills today at 3:45 p.m. while opening the home portion of the season next Tuesday against the Redcoats from Alumni field in Bristol (6 p.m.), under the lights.
And the road doesn’t get any easier from there in terms of CCC play.
The Lancers are going to have to manufacture victories against the likes of Maloney (September 27) and Plainville (October 21) in order to qualify for the postseason.
But every match is going to be a challenge including two showdowns against crosstown rival Bristol Central – the first coming on Thursday, October 6.
Again, the path to playoff qualification is there but Eastern is going to have to pull out wins and critical ties to get there.
“With a loaded conference and challenging schedule, we will need to be up for the challenge day in and day out,” said Redman.
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