ROCHESTER — New leadership is coming to the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School girls varsity soccer team this season. 

Old Colony carpentry instructor and girls soccer head coach Paul Soucy said that he hopes this season the team will “have a run at the conference title.”

“I'm really determined to put up a banner in our gym right now,” said Soucy. “Our program is the only one without one and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to develop a team that can get us there.”

Soucy has been coaching since his first year teaching at Old Colony in 2020. He began coaching with the freshman baseball team, then moved on to varsity boys basketball and junior varsity boys soccer. 

“I played all three sports here in high school,” said Soucy. “It is awesome to be back.”

Soucy said that his strategy to prepare his team is to focus on the fundamentals. 

“ I knew I would have a team of girls with all different skill sets and different backgrounds and soccer experiences,” he said. “My goal coming in is just to start at ground zero, and develop a more fundamental and technical way of playing soccer.”

He said that the team has focused on making good passes and transitions during practice. 

Being an instructor at the school allows for Soucy to encourage his team on and off the field. 

“Having a presence in the building not only changes the relationship between player and coach, it gives them the opportunity to  come to me at any time,” he said. “ I can make sure they're staying on track, in school and on the field.”

According to Soucy, the team held their first practice on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

“I’ve seen growth from day one already,” said Soucy. “I’m definitely looking forward to working with the team as a whole.”

The first game will be held on Friday, Sept. 8 at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School.