by Christopher Annino

Soccer demands teamwork, endurance, speed and coordination, but sometimes in order to succeed in a game you have to add one more element. That element is heart.  A lot of times giant universities have a lot of talent, but they don’t have the heart or desire to play hard. Unfortunately, that usually leads to a decline in the team’s potential.

Once a two-year school, Mitchell College has grown to a four-year NCAA Division III and a reputable college. The key to their recent successes in their soccer programs is that they remain low key and down to earth. They have the heart to play successfully. This year the newly named Mitchell College Mariners Men’s Soccer team participated in the New England Collegiate Conference Semi-Finals.

Their season came to an end when they lost to Lesley University. Key players for the Mariners that almost won them the Championship this season were Forward James Gleason, Old Lyme, Forward Josh Griffo, Higganum and backs Adam and Alex Deltgen, Norwich. “We were able to bring together great talent to work together, they did everything that was expected of them. And I am very proud of each and everyone of them,” said Mariners Head Coach Dean Roberts.

“Coach Roberts has always been great at scouting local talent,” said Mitchell College Athletic Coordinator Moe White.

The same goes for the Mitchell College Mariners women’s team. They played with tremendous heart and under Coach Damian Houlden.  Their team was also very successful. Ironically, several key players on their team were also local, such as Defender Michelle Anderson, Chaplin, Forward Nichole Hoxie, Winsted, and Midfield Paige Ehnot,  West Hartford.

“With both teams, we couldn’t have asked for anything more, they have had tremendous seasons,” said Moe.

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