A Day in the Life: Shannon Anderson, Miranda Jassil and Sarah McDonald, North Branford Girls' Soccer Captains

North Branford Patch: When did you first start playing soccer?

Shannon Anderson: When I was little, my brother played soccer so I would go to his games and watch. I first started playing soccer in kindergarten when I was 5 years old and I've been playing ever since.

Miranda Jassil: I started playing when I was 4 years old. I started with clinics and I always watched my brothers and sisters play.

Sarah McDonald: I've been playing since I was 4 years old. It was either gymnastics or cheerleading, but I like competitive things. 

North Branford Patch: What do you love about soccer?

Anderson: It can be a really creative game, compared to other sports where there are set plays. In soccer, you can go out there and do different moves and play in different directions. 

Jassil: It's really fun. It's part of me now. My favorite part is having a team to work with and hang out with off the field and being part of that big family.

McDonald: I love the fast pace. The team is really close and that's how I made friends. 

North Branford Patch: What makes the different from the other teams at North Branford High School?

Anderson: We have a lot of seniors this year, which is really good. We're all really close because we've all been playing together for a long time. As a team, we've bonded really well over the years. Last year, the team wasn't as close, and this year we're a lot closer. Because we all know each other, it's easier to know each other on the field. 

Jassil: We're very close. We do stuff outside of soccer like pasta dinners and sleepovers. 

McDonald: It's definitely the friendships because we're a really close team and everyone at the school knows it. We're all really hard workers and we get along well. 

North Branford Patch: Can you describe a day in the life of a captain? What are your responsibilities?

Anderson: Coach [Rick] Geremia looks to us when we're on the field that we're giving directions and we're a positive force for the team. When the team can get frustrated with the coaches, we have to be there to be the in-between for the players. 

Jassil: We get the team pumped up before games. We have to make sure all of the equipment is out and on the field. We really try to make sure that the underclassmen and the new players feel welcomed on the team.  

McDonald: We make sure that everyone is focused on the field. We have to be leaders on the field and pump the team up.  

North Branford Patch: What type of leader do you try to be for your teammates?

Anderson: Last year I was captain, too, I was injured all season. That was really hard for me because being a junior and being captain was hard in the first place and I felt like I had to prove myself. Then when I got injured, I didn't know what to do. I had no idea how to be a leader and be on the sidelines. I looked to the coaches and the JV players and saw how they supported the team without being on the field. I think helped a lot just to know now when I'm on the field how to communicate and know how things look from the other perspective. When everyone is walking and no one is trying, it's really obvious from the sidelines. 

Jassil: They see me as a fun leader, but also someone who can be taken seriously during a game. I like to work hard.

McDonald: I try to be someone who is always calm. I don't freak out, I never scream at anyone. Also, off the field, if anyone has any personal problems, I'm always there to ask how they're feeling or if they're injuries are getting better. 

North Branford Patch: What is the most challenging part of being a captain?

Anderson: There are a lot of high expectations for the team this year. We are the best we've been in a while and there are expectations that we are going to go far and take this team to Shorelines and States. That's a lot of pressure on us as captains because everyone is looking to us. 

Jassil: You really always have to be on your game. You want to lead through example so if you're having an off-game, it's a bad example to the team. 

McDonald: I'd say the pressure because we're supposed to be really good this year. And if we're not, then everyone looks to us. We try to keep everyone focused on winning. 

North Branford Patch: What are your goals for this season for the team and for you personally?

Anderson: For the team, I definitely want to win Shorelines. I haven't gotten one since I've been here, but the team won it the year before I was here. That's all everyone's been talking about since I was a freshman. For myself, I'd like to make it through the whole year and have the team believe in me.    

Jassil: I want to win Shorelines and I want to try to win States. Personally, I just want to get better as a player and develop my skills more. 

McDonald: For the team, our biggest goal is to win Shorelines and hopefully go further into States than we've ever gone. For myself, I just want to stay healthy and keep the team focused.

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To be featured in ‘A Day in the Life’ or to suggest someone who should be profiled, send information to Jim Gangi.