The Patriots enter year two under head coach Nicole Sauer. BENNINGTON — The Mount Anthony girls varsity soccer team enters with the tools necessary to make some noise in Division I this fall. The Patriots have the experience, highlighted by a quartet of four-year varsity players.
Equally important is the stability of the coaching staff – something the seniors have not had the luxury of in their high school soccer career until this year. Nicole Sauer is back on the sidelines for year two leading MAU, along with assistant Jeremy Neill. Sauer’s hire last season marked the third different coach in as many years for the program.
“Part of our mission was to provide some consistency for the girls,” Sauer said. With a roster full of experienced soccer players, the Patriots are hopeful that some continuity not only on the field, but on the sidelines, will lead to success. “I think it’s really helpful because they’ve already spent a year with us, and I think it’s going to help the team play better in season,” said four-year starter Roey Rella-Neill, one of the Patriots’ two captains.
“Because we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses more, and the coaches know how to work with that.” Mount Anthony senior co-captain Roey Rella-Neill looks the ball onto her foot during a Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 practice in Bennington.
Rella-Neill is one of four Patriots with four years of varsity experience. Along with the technical adjustments, fellow senior Abby Sekora sai.