21°
The scene outside Brien McMahon High School Wednesday said winter. Snowblowers whirled in the school parking lot, where remnants from Tuesdays storm made walking tricky while a bright sun did little to take the chill off a February day. Inside, however, where Senators soccer coach Nicole Stockfisch conducted her first Girls Youth Soccer Clinic, you couldnt tell that Old Man Winter had arrived in full fury less than 24 hours earlier. Stockfisch moved around the McMahon gymnasium as though she were outside. [breakhere] Stockfisch completed her first year as the Senators coach last fall, but she bellowed instructions to the players at the clinic as if she had been coaching her whole life. Whoa, whoa, whoa, Stockfisch belted out as an errant pass escaped its intended target. This is the way you do it. Watching Stockfisch, who previously served as an assistant coach at Wilton, you knew who was in charge of the camp. She was at different times lighthearted, funny, driven, encouraging and critical. In other words, the perfect coachs mentality. Theyre not learning the basics at a young age, Stockfisch says. I want to teach them when theyre herepointing to a group of 8- and 9-year-olds so that I dont have to do it when they get here, pointing to an older group. Stockfisch has a difficult task ahead of her to bring soccer success to McMahon. The team won just once in 15 games last fall, with five ties. The Senators competed in a league that is among the most difficult in the state. She intends to change things, but knows it wont be over night. And thats OK. I want these girls to learn, Stockfisch says. I intend to be here a long time.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.
