18.1 F
Schenectady
Saturday, December 14, 2024

Adrienne Dannehy, Saratoga Springs girls’ soccer coach, to compete against her daughter’s Colonie team

spot_img
spot_img

For‍ Ella​ Dannehy, ⁤the ⁢opportunity to ⁢compete‍ in a soccer match against her‍ mother was a​ lifelong‌ dream. The journey‌ to this moment was filled with ‍challenges and obstacles, but she never lost sight of her goal.

Ella, the daughter ⁤of Adrienne Dannehy, the esteemed ⁢coach‍ of Saratoga Springs girls’ soccer⁣ team, is currently in her final​ year at Colonie Central High School. She​ holds the position of the starting ‍goalie and‌ serves as a captain for the​ Wolf Pack girls’ soccer team.

During her early high school years, ‌Ella had to overcome two hip‌ surgeries to correct her hip dysplasia, a condition she was diagnosed with at a young ‍age. Despite these ⁣setbacks, her determination and love for the game never‌ wavered.

Colonie​ head coach Ryan Edson ⁣recognized Ella’s potential ⁤and resilience, promoting her to the varsity team as a freshman. However, it wasn’t⁤ until her junior year that⁢ she could fully ‍participate, ⁣serving as⁣ the team’s backup goalie.

“Ella’s journey ​is a testament to her character. Her ​perseverance through ⁤her surgeries and her unwavering commitment to her ‍team is truly⁤ inspiring,” said Edson. ⁤“She’s always been a hard worker and a positive influence on the team.”

Adrienne Dannehy shared, “Ella underwent PAO surgery‌ on‍ her hip right before her freshman year and had⁣ the same procedure on the other side six months later. She was ‍out for around 18 ⁢months, and on crutches her⁣ whole ninth grade year. Despite these challenges, her passion for the⁤ game remained strong.”

When Ella⁣ was⁤ named Colonie’s starting goalie this year, it was only fitting​ that their season opener was ‌against⁤ Saratoga Springs.

“Coach Edson informed me that ⁢our first game of my senior year would be against⁣ my ⁣mom’s ​team,” Ella Dannehy said. ‌“As a former backup goalkeeper, this ⁤was ⁤my first game playing​ on varsity ​as a starter, and​ it‌ was against‍ my mom.”

The game ⁤on Sept. 5 saw Saratoga Springs secure ⁢a 3-1‌ victory over Colonie.

“It was a ⁣surreal experience,” Adrienne Dannehy said. “It was a mix​ of ⁤emotions, ​cheering for my team while they were scoring against my ‍daughter. It was definitely a unique situation.”

Despite the loss, Ella and her teammates‍ are ⁣looking forward to their rematch in ⁢the ‌Suburban ⁣Council contest on Tuesday.

“Even though we lost 3-1, it⁤ was⁤ a great feeling to deny goals from my mom’s team,” Ella ⁢said. “I’m excited for our second match. I really want to beat⁤ her.”

The idea to play twice this season was proposed by‌ Edson.

“I‌ was​ surprised when ‍coach Edson suggested a non-league game,” Adrienne​ Dannehy​ said. “It was a win-win ⁢situation. We needed extra⁢ non-league games,⁣ and it gave ‌me a ⁤chance to watch‌ Ella play.”

The rivalry between Saratoga⁤ Springs and Colonie girls’ soccer teams extends beyond Ella⁢ and her mom.‍ Many of⁤ the Colonie players have known the​ Dannehys​ since kindergarten.

“When Colonie plays​ Saratoga, the games are always more ⁢passionate‌ and intense,” Ella explained. “It’s not just personal for me. These ⁢are all my friends and some of them have known my mom since we were in ​kindergarten.”

Adrienne Dannehy had initially planned to step down as Saratoga ⁤Springs head coach during Ella’s later ⁢years in high ​school, so she could regularly attend her daughter’s games. However, Ella insisted that she wanted to play against her mom.

“I’ve been waiting for this,” Ella said. “It’s such a unique atmosphere.​ You don’t usually see kids ⁢getting⁣ to play against their mom, and I really wanted to play against‌ her.”

Colonie is set to host Saratoga Springs on Tuesday ⁢at⁤ 4:15 p.m.

spot_img
Jack Sullivan
Jack Sullivan
Jack Sullivan, an informed and passionate sports reporter, is a former college athlete with a degree in Sports Communication from Ithaca College. Go Bombers!
Latest news
Read More

3 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here