NDP’s varsity soccer team has had a long, tough, uphill battle to make it to the playoffs. Shannon Ogrysko, Senior soccer star, and Gabby Burns, Junior defensive brick wall (shown above), share some key moments from their season. Starting back in mid-August, the girls have been doing endless drills, sprints and footwork. Weeks of hard work only led to multiple serious leg injuries including a knee injury for Allison Shileds and a torn ACL for both Julia Mangione and Coulby Riehl. “It’s been tough,” Gabby Burns admits, “But we’re strong. We’re fighting through it together.” “Our inspiration? Our inspiration is solely to will to win,” said Shannon Ogrysko.
Despite the injuries, the girls pulled together and finished with a record of 3-5-3 and high hopes for the playoffs. Most notably, the girls proudly explain one of their all-time favorite plays from the season. In a memorable game against rival school, Maryvale, longtime goalie, Tori Gabor, scored a goal. It only took the talented athlete a few minutes to shoot one in the net, putting NDP one savory point higher. While Tori was busy raking in the points at forward, her younger sister, Ashley, covered NDP’s goal. Ashley is eagerly anticipated by many of the team members to take her sister’s spot when Tori leaves for college. Ashley Gabor, however, is not the only aspiring freshman that is a key rising player. “Fabiana Parravano is taking after her sister Simona,” said Gabby Burns. “She is coming in strong… carrying out the family legacy!”
Not only is the Varsity soccer team filled with valuable bloodline sisters, but every team member plays for a squad she considers family. The team engages in many team bonding activities where they get a chance to bond off the soccer field. They often have pasta parties to fuel their spirit and stamina, and even had a team sleepover. Gabby excitedly exclaimed, “I am very close with my team mates! Especially the seniors, they make me feel cool!” To that Shannon Ogrysko replied, “I’m going to miss being with everyone, especially my little Gabbers!” I guess that it’s not just the team wins they accumulate, but the victories they see in one another that really count.