Finley Girls’ Soccer Proved to be a Work in Progress
With 27 players new to the program on the roster, the J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ soccer team was a work in progress this past fall. The Falcons finished with a 3-7 mark under coach Jennifer Rodgers.
Finley was led by eighth graders Natalie Acton (center midfielder/goalie), Jenny Duffy (fullback) and Dania Merilan (center midfielder) and seventh graders Natalia Chaney (forward), Stephanie Rafuse (fullback) and Hannah Burnett (goalie).
“Natalie is a dependable player who shows all around excellence and is a team leader,” Rodgers said. “Jenny is a dynamic player who is tough to beat on defense and Dania has unbeatable speed and is a true motivator.”
The core group of seventh graders also received praise from the coach. “Natalia is the most skilled on the team,” Rodgers said. “She plays aggressive and has great speed and Stephanie is unbeatable on defense and held our entire back line together. Hannah stood out in goal. She had the most saves this season.”
The won-loss record came a distant second in importance to getting playing time for all 34 players on the team. “Our team is made up of hardworking, talented girls,” Rodgers said. “They show dedication and sportsmanship every day, both on and off the field.”
Rodgers pointed to Chaney, Rafuse, Burnett and Jackie Contino as the top players heading into the 2008 season when the team will be far more experienced than it was this year.
Although Finley lost more games than it won, the season wasn’t without its achievements. “Our biggest accomplishment was beating Kings Park Maroon in the five period after were down by three,” Rodgers said.
Falcon Notes: Chaney led the team in goals scored . . . Finley was captained by Acton, Merilan, Jennifer Duffy, Louise Tito, Taylor Iwanicki and Chloe Barron . . . Nicole Burnett was the team manager.
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