The goalie is the last line of defense in a soccer match, facing breakaways, corner kicks and penalty shots at crucial moments.
On a warm Saturday morning, Aug. 26, Gloucester City soccer goalies honed their skills during a clinic presented by Cuddy Soccer at the Cold Springs School field in preparation for the opening of the Gloucester City Youth Soccer League (GCYSL) season Sept. 10 and the Gloucester City High School and Middle School boys and girls fall seasons.
“This is an excellent investment, as being a goalie is a position that needs specific training,” GCYSL Treasurer Dennis Seneca said.
“It is open to everyone ages seven through high school,” said GCYSL President Jessica Connor said, adding that she is thrilled by the growth of the league.
“This season we have 22 teams ages 4 to 13 and approximately 275 soccer players,” said Connor, who is looking forward to Opening Day on Sunday, Sept. 10. “We are dedicating the season to the Board of Education for all their support.”
“The school board has supported us for over 20 years, letting the league use their fields,” Seneca said.
And it has been a good investment as the school district’s soccer program has grown tremendously.
This year the Gloucester City High School boys’ varsity team has 30 players, and will be able to field a junior varsity team, Connor said. The Gloucester City Middle School team used to be co-ed, but now has 30 players for the girls, and there will be full boys and girls teams.
Both Connor, who was a striker and a midfielder, and Seneca, who was a defender, said the popularity of soccer has grown greatly since their playing days.
They attribute this to the nationwide audience for the Woman’s World Cup and Men’s World Cup since the early 1990s, and the advertising for products related to soccer.
As for the growth of the GCYSL, Connor cites the hard work of the officers and coaches, and the desire of the players to become better.
The other officers are Vice President Eric Walmsley, Secretary Alesa Locavera and Player Agent Marcia Dick, “who assigns all the players to the teams.”
As for her goals this year, Connor said, “I hope we have a successful season, that everyone stays healthy and that the players learn a lot.”
On Saturday, goalies from the GCYSL, the high school and the middle school all learned a lot about excelling at “the beautiful game.
