Nonnewaug High School’s soccer connection to Naugatuck isn’t hard to spot, all it takes is a quick glance at the girls’ roster.
Two of the team’s three senior captains — Allison Green and Emily Wingard — call the borough home, as does sophomore back-up varsity goalie Nicole Mercer.
Last season, the Chiefs had five Naugatuck players on the roster, including Jenny Wingard, Emily’s older sister, who is now playing at UConn. Kacy Michaud, of Naugatuck, also played three years for the Chiefs before transferring to Naugatuck this year for her senior season.
“We’ve had a handful of girls from Naugatuck,” Nonnewaug head coach Nick Sheikh said. “They are extremely hard workers and have been a big part of our success here at Nonnewaug.”
The Chiefs found plenty of success on the pitch this year. Nonnewaug (14-1-1) won the Berkshire League title this season for the first time in five years.
Green, a four-year, three-sport athlete for the Chiefs, also plays indoor track and softball. Her interest in Nonnewaug was sparked by her older sister, Olivia, who played volleyball for the Chiefs and graduated in 2014.
“That peaked my interest in the school,” said Green, who has scored 21 goals — nine this season — in her career. “It offered agriculture and a curriculum that I wouldn’t have learned at Naugatuck.
“It was a good fit for me and I have been starting on the varsity soccer team since I was a freshman. … To go out as Berkshire League champions is a great way to end my career here.”
Nonnewaug was seeded second in the Class L tournament and made a run to the quarterfinals, where the Chiefs fell, 2-0, to No. 7 Daniel Hand.
“I think the Naugatuck connection at Nonnewaug stems from the good training we got from Naugatuck Youth Soccer,” said Wingard, who is also captain for the indoor and outdoor track teams. “My sister, Jenny, graduated in the top ten of her class, but we became interested in Nonnewaug when our cousin graduated from there.
“She didn’t play sports but the agriculture field really got me interested in the school. I’ve had a lot of fun and a lot of success here, so to go out as the Berkshire League champions is a great way to end my high school soccer career.”
Mercer is one of the up-and-coming athletes from Naugatuck to help carry on the Chiefs success. The starting goalie for the JV team also plays softball and basketball.
“Nicole is one of those hard-working leaders,” Sheikh said. “Goalies are hard to come by but an athlete with her work ethic is even harder to come by.”
Mercer draws inspiration from her older sister, Andrea, who played soccer at Naugatuck High School and currently plays for Johnson State College.
“I was so inspired by my sister, Andrea,” Mercer said. “She didn’t get a lot of playing time after starting her freshman year but never gave up. Now she is starting at Johnson State College in Vermont.
“She is the one who really inspired me to work hard and never quit. She is a big influence by what she has achieved through hard work and determination. I got to see a few of her games in college and that has really made me want to work harder.”
