Newburyport girls soccer coach Robb Gonnam appears to have solved the formula for establishing a dynasty at the high school level.
Gonnam's Clippers posted a 42-3-1 record over the past two seasons, including a Division 3 state championship last season. That state title was Newburyport's first in any sport since 2001. Now Gonnam's squad is set to open preseason tomorrow as the favorite to repeat as champion.
The Daily News sports desk kicked off its weekly season during the high school sports season — called "Coach's Corner" —with a question-and-answer session with Gonnam on the eve of his team's season-long state-title defense.
Where can the team go from here?
"We said that last year. But we keep setting higher standards. At some point, something has to give."
Could this year's team be even better than last year's?
"We took some big hits right down the middle. We lost Shannon Fitzgerald, our center back. We lost Colleen Coviello, our center midfielder. And we lost Maggie Mahoney, our center striker. Plus, Gracy Curry, who was out all last year with a torn ACL and was set to slide right into Shannon's spot this fall, tore her ACL again at a club tryout in June."
Do you have younger players ready to step into those roles?
"Taylor Whitehill played magnificently in the spring. All of a sudden, it clicked for her. So she could lead the show in the backfield. That's also a spot where a couple freshmen have a chance to break into the team. Six or seven freshmen have a good shot, and four or five sophomores."
So you have a strong freshmen class?
"We do, but it's still a big jump to go from U14 to varsity. It's a big jump in size and mental and physical maturity. Speed isn't the issue. Some of those kids have more speed than the older ones."
How will you know if they're ready?
"We have a lot of preseason games, so I'll have seven or eight chances to see who can play at this level."
Do you think your players will have an added respect for you now that you've won a state title?
"No, I don't think so. I don't change. I've won 10 state championships in club and town soccer. The end result of a prior season has no impact on the current season. It's a clean slate. You're as good as your performance today. It's not about what you did last year or two years ago. Show me what you can do now."
Does your team thrive under pressure?
"We had a target on our back last year. We'll have it even more this year. It's not going to be an easy road."
What advice would you give coaches who are striving to build a perennial state title contender?
"It's an element of pride to keep a tradition going. Nobody wants to be remembered as that class that got hammered or didn't perform well. That's a powerful motivator. Once you build a program, people buy into it. Then it's self-perpetuating. Kids get motivated in the youth programs. Our youth program is going through the roof right now. That's due, in part, to the success of the high school program. Young girls are always ball girls at our high school games. They are not only watching the girls, but also learning their names and vice versa. They're seeing where they can fit in down the road."
