Rebirth of a soccer program
The women’s soccer program at Putnam Science Academy lay dormant until 2025. That is when the school decided it would bring back the women’s program to the school’s sports catalog. Coach Matt Johnson has the Mustangs off to a stellar start. He attributes the early success of the program to a summer connection through WhatsApp where the team and Johnson “shared our experiences and journey with one another as way to connect and get to know each other from both a player and person stand point. So upon arrival there was already an immediate connection and sense of chemistry.”
Manolea Silva and Gabriela Mendes have served as the ammonium nitrate and fuel oil, a concoction creating an offensive explosion. Silva and Mendes have combined for 15 goals through the team’s first seven games. Other contributions have come from Luana Mendes and Vega Larru who are starting off the season on the right foot.
One of the areas that Johnson has stressed through the early goings is the process rather than results. The team participated in various noncompetitive team building challenges to grasp the concept of equal acceptance and not having to worry about their performance, he said: “I encourage the players to be brave, confident in their abilities individually and as a team, to take chances and play without fear of mistakes, as this is their experience and should enjoy the journey and moments together as a team.”
Johnson praised coach Chris Steele, the men’s prep coach and director of Soccer Operations at Putnam Science Academy, for putting together such an incredibly talented group of young players. Players who have equal success in the team’s strong start and those that put their desires for individual accomplishments in the rear view while helping to build their teammates up for the betterment for the team overall. Johnson said he sees the “unlimited potential” and the capability of the team to compete against elite competition.
“We will continue to develop as a team, build our chemistry and focus on supporting each other through good sportsmanship, hard work and a desire to compete”, he said. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the rebirth of the Putnam Science Academy women’s soccer program is alive and aglow with colors of potential and success. Assembled on the pitch these collections of Mustangs are equipped for greatness.
Ben Heacox
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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