Teamwork at the center of C-G's success

The Cary-Grove girls soccer team could not be more appropriately named.

At 12-1 overall, the Trojans have 'carried' one another through the first 13 matches of the 2008 campaign -- and they've done so with success, with balance, with consistency and with composure rarely seen at the high school level.

More important, they have done so with key contributions from everyone.

To understand the depth and importance of teamwork for the Cary-Grove girls soccer program, you must first understand just how seriously they take the concept.

This is, after all, a story about unity.

For starters, head coach Raymond Krystal refers to his unit as a community, not a team.

In 13 games, the Trojans have seen goals from 10 different players and assists from 12 various jerseys.

While the offense has provided 60 goals, the defense has given up just 2. In 12 games, the team has recorded 11 shutouts.

"This group is friends, and they are family," said Krystal. "Our philosophy is to do everything together.

"We are the sum of our parts."

That belief translates onto the field in every aspect.

"Defensively, what's working best is that we as a team have a tenacious attitude," said Krystal. "We have 11 girls playing defense all of the time."

With 10 different players finding the back of the net, the same goes for the offense.

"The way we see it is that people will find out what you are doing," said Krystal. "Our goal is to always have options."

Sure, there are team captains, there are core players and there is the occasional single-game hero, none of whom pull rank at any time.

Just like Superman, Spider-Man or the Incredible Hulk, these Trojan standouts choose to remain anonymous. They opt for Clark Kent, or Peter Parker or Bruce Banner when on the pitch.

Take for example, current leading scorer and team co-captain Kelsey Passaglia.

With 17 goals and 13 assists, the senior forward is atop the list of area goal leaders and is quickly approaching her 2007 complete season tally of 22 goals.

Still, matching or bettering that number is the last thing on her mind. If anything, it is all of those around her who hope to see her push the envelope.

"If there is a gift that a graduating player can leave behind, it would be having the ability that Kelsey has, and the maturity to act as she has and carry herself with the selflessness that she has. It is a legacy that she will leave behind," Krystal said.

Scoring 3 hat tricks to date while booking six multi-goal games, Passaglia continues to work at the highest level.

In fact, it is the only option teammates give her.

"On a daily basis, she is challenged by her teammates," said Krystal. "They give her a hard time every day.

"She loves to have the benefit of having all these skilled and talented players around her to make her a better player."

Not only does Passaglia benefit personally, but she believes the entire team does.

"The big thing with this team is that when we step on the field, we're hard on each other," Passaglia said. "Once you cross those lines or step off, there are no grudges and there is no conflict. Always being positive off the field has made us really strong."

Positive thinking is a mantra for Passaglia.

"My success comes first and foremost, from those around me," she said. "I would not be anywhere without every one of my teammates.

"It is also important to come into every game positive, and come in with the team's goals first."

Krystal attributes her success to hard work, passion, skill and knowledge.

"She prepares herself year-round," said Krystal. "She's a very skilled player, a very smart player and she has worked extremely hard to put herself in this position. She cares so much about her team and her teammates, and her level of talent allows her to be successful for them.

"It's a blessing to have a player do whatever she needs to do to be successful."

Along with Passaglia comes a core group of veterans from last year's squad in Kelli and Lisa Anderson, Sally Tashjian, Rachel Neudahl and Alex Wilhelm.

"These girls have provided invaluable leadership," said Krystal. "They give us skill throughout the field, and we wouldn't be this team without each of them."

Speaking of leadership, there is the proverbial backstop, goalkeeper and a fellow team co-captain, Alex Holland.

"Alex is the perfect example of communication and leadership," Krystal said. "She speaks very specifically about what needs to be done top to bottom."

Perhaps Holland is such a gifted instructor because she loves it.

"Leading from the back is great," said Holland. "I can see the entire field. The girls listen and respond very well. They make it very easy for me to work with them."

Now 13 games in, the team has 12 shutouts and has allowed just 2 goals. Holland is impressed.

"In the beginning, I didn't know how strong we'd be defensively," she said. "After nine shutouts, I was more than impressed with how this defense played together.

"I cannot take the credit. I have 10 players in front of me doing a great job. The ball seldom makes it to the back eighteen."

Across the field, she sees the opposite from her offense.

"We're creating a lot of chances in the opponent's eighteen," said Holland. "The girls are giving themselves a lot of scoring opportunities."

Bringing a different type of leadership all together is the team's third co-captain and one of two seniors on the roster, defender Amanda Popinchock.

"Amanda's role is something that a lot of people wouldn't notice," Krystal explained. "I have an awful lot of respect for her. She is the emotional captain for this team. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she's done an amazing job in her role because this team is something that she is passionate about."

And of course this wouldn't be a story without a supporting cast.

Playing the role of a nervous newcomer who concentrates on the little things and small details which enable her to improve on a daily basis is sophomore forward Liz Bart.

Then there is Passaglia's understudy, Taylor Mahoney. As a freshman, Mahoney came in with a lot of raw ability according to Krystal, and has been aided by the play around her.

"Playing close to Kelsey, Taylor has benefited from watching Kelsey play," he said. "She is extremely composed which is a rarity at her age."

When the players need a rest, Alyssa Jacobucci takes the stage. As a substitute, she has added 4 goals and 2 assists already.

"Alyssa comes of the bench and gives us good quality minutes," said Krystal. "She can change the energy and the mood of any game."

Quiet until she takes the field, midfielder Ashley Gustafson is another impact player.

"Ashley can go unnoticed -- until she starts playing soccer that is," Krystal said. "She is a player that we can rely on."

And no story keeps your attention without a little comic relief, which comes in the package of Allie Simon for Cary-Grove.

"Allie has been a great addition to this team," Krystal said. "She has a very bright personality, and she asks a lot of great questions. She has so much desire to become a better player."

Defenders Heather Swanson and Alyssa Baggio along with midfielders Carolyn Delevich, Alyssa Ptaszek and forward Brittany Kroening complete the star-studded cast that is the Cary-Grove girls soccer team.

"We wouldn't be where we are without all eighteen on the roster," said Holland. "It is great being a co-captain. I love being in a leadership position, but the truth is, we all have different leadership roles on this team.

"The team chemistry is phenomenal," Holland added. "It affects our play, and it makes us that much better on the field."

Passaglia whole-heartedly agrees.

"Everybody here has their own kind of leadership," Passaglia explained. "There is always someone new tying things together for us."

You will of course have to stay tuned to see how this story ends.

But, expect nothing short of fun and excitement along the way.

"What's the fun part for me?" Passaglia responded to the question with a question.

"Everything is fun. Practices, games, team meetings, the team chemistry, our record…I can't pinpoint a specific. It is all amazing."

That being said, the conclusion of this story is somewhat irrelevant.

"Results aside, I'm proud to have these girls represent the school," Krystal said. "They are great people and coaching them has been an absolute pleasure.

"There is an undeniable passion for the game here. As a coach, I just want to foster that passion for soccer and teamwork that already exists here.

"These girls are not looking to be contributors, they are looking to make sure that the entire unit is successful. They don't want self glory. They just want to be part of the whole."

Of course, continuing to post W's would definitely be a plus.

"Without a doubt, winning is important to these girls," Krystal said. "They are a group that sets high standards. Their way of going about it is to be driven by their desire to play at a high level.

"The results will follow. That keeps them from letting success take them in a negative direction."

As for future opponents, don't expect this team to cut you any slack. They are always looking for ways to improve.

Krystal reads an anonymous quote:

"The things that initially make you successful are rarely the things that keep you successful."