As the West Orange High School Girls’ Soccer Team embarks on its new season, the air is filled with anticipation, redemption, and unity. The girls are hungry for revenge after having an outstanding record of 14-4-2 last season and, unfortunately, losing to Livingston by 2-0 in the state semi-finals. Under the guidance of veteran head coach Sean DeVore and a dedicated group of captains, the team has committed to playing not only for wins but for each other, their community, and the legacy they aim to leave behind. This past August, The Pioneer had an in-depth interview with senior captains: Izzy Pincham, Amina Diop, Hanna Amoyaw, and Lauren Villasin, as well as the head coach, Sean Devore. The team revealed what drives them this year: chemistry, resilience, and a determination to rise above the challenges of losing key seniors, as well as a tough tournament loss last season.
A Legacy of Leadership: Coach DeVore’s Vision
For Coach Sean DeVore, this season marks his 23rd year of coaching and his 10th year with the girls’ soccer team program. DeVore’s deep-rooted connection to the West Orange community plays a significant role in his approach. After coaching at Northern Highlands Regional High School and returning to West Orange, his hometown, he is passionate about creating an even stronger bridge between the high school and the youth soccer program.
“When I first came back, we wanted to connect the high school team with the youth program,” DeVore explained. “Now, the younger kids show up to our games, and our players train with them over the summer. It’s not just about winning—it’s about building a culture of unity and pride within the community.”
For Coach DeVore, success isn’t just measured in wins and losses. “It’s about building young women who are confident, resilient, and ready to take on whatever comes their way,” he said. “If they leave here feeling prepared for life, then I’ve done my job.”
Building Bonds that Last: The Role of Team Chemistry
Team chemistry has emerged as a defining strength already for the 2024 season, setting the tone for practices, games, and off-the-field activities. In the past, the team struggled with cliques and disconnection, but this year feels different, according to the players and captains.
“Our chemistry is amazing,” Aminia explained, “In previous years, it was more divided, but this time, everyone is connected from top to bottom. We just want to see each other succeed.”
Lauren Villasin agreed with her Co-captain, explaining that the bonds extend beyond the field. “The four captains are really close, and we’re always planning what we’ll do next. That closeness spreads to the whole team.”
“We watched The Babadook together, and it was terrifying,” Hanna laughed. “But being scared together is one way to build trust!”
The players are motivated not just by personal goals but by a sense of responsibility to those who came before them—and those who will follow in their footsteps. “We’re playing for the seniors who didn’t get the ending they wanted last year,” said Hanna. “And we’re playing for the younger girls who look up to us. It’s a privilege to be someone they aspire to be.”
The captains recalled moments when younger athletes approached them after games, saying they wanted to play just like them someday. “It’s humbling and inspiring,” Lauren said. “It reminds me of when I was a kid watching the high school girls and dreaming of being in their shoes.”
So far in the 2024 season, the girls are starting the state tournament, with a record of 10-6-2. With the addition of another captain, Aria Evans, the girls have positioned themselves as strong contenders for the rest of the postseason tournaments and games, with standout performances from both upper and lower-classmen.
Leadership Under Pressure: Filling the Gaps of Departed Seniors
Although the team has had many successes, the girl’s soccer team has struggled with one huge thing: losing ten seniors from last season. Many of them were starters, including Jaiden Shultz (now playing D1 Soccer at Boston University), Daniella Malanga ( now playing D3 Soccer at RIT), Madison Cyrus, Lucy Fishkin, and Josephine Locricchio, which might have spelled trouble for most teams, but West Orange is using it as an opportunity to elevate younger players. “A lot of juniors have stepped up into starting roles,” noted Izzy, the captain anchoring the defense. “They’ve been adjusting to playing full 90-minute games for the first time, and they’ve been doing a great job so far.”
The team’s success relies on balancing the experience of seasoned players with the energy of new talent. Coach DeVore highlighted a few underclassmen he’s excited about, such as freshman Kayla Thompson (pictured
below), a forward who has already shown promise in practice. Josephine Foglia has also stepped up in defense [too],” he added, praising the seamless integration of younger players into the starting lineup.
“With such a mix of experience and potential, the captains are optimistic. ‘This group works hard, and everyone understands their role,’ said Lauren. ‘We lost a lot of seniors, but we’ve got depth with freshmen, sophomores, and juniors ready to make their mark.’”
In addition, for the girls, these matchups this season are personal. Last year’s narrow defeat to Livingston in the county tournament still stings, and it has fueled their desire for redemption.
“We play with a chip on our shoulder,” Lauren admitted. “We own Livingston. This year, we’re ready to take them down.”
The Mental Game: Yoga and Balancing Academics with Life
Beyond the field, the team has embraced an unusual activity: yoga. Coach DeVore, a surprisingly passionate advocate for yoga, shared how it has transformed not only his personal life but the team’s approach to the game. “I found yoga during the pandemic, and it’s been a game-changer,” DeVore said. “It’s not just about stretching—it’s about breathing, resetting, and staying present. Izzy’s mom is a yoga instructor, and she’s helped us integrate it into our routine.”
“We love a good yoga session.” Izzy claimed enthusiastically, “It’s also good to just like, not only the stretching part of it but also mindfulness breathing and resetting after we’ve had a hard game or a hard practice. And then also, like, you know, we don’t really do film as much, but we do get scouts from our coaches about the teams we’re playing, and then, we always talk about it, like before games, or during practices. We implement it into practice, like what we know the other team is going to do or what we can expect from the other team.”
The players have embraced the practice as well. “It’s been great for recovery after tough games and practices,” said Amina. “The mindfulness aspect also helps us stay calm and focused under pressure.
For these student-athletes, soccer is just one piece of a larger puzzle. All four captains emphasized the importance of balancing sports, academics, and personal life—a skill they’ve had to develop over the years.
“A big thing I’m going to take away is balance, balancing all the pressure I have on the field and connecting with my teammates as well as being a student and an athlete.” Amina reflected, “So, like in my life outside of soccer, and for the rest of my life, being able to balance everything in my life,”
For some players, this preparation will continue at the collegiate level. Lauren will be playing Division I soccer at the University of Albany next year, and Hanna and Amina stated that they are thinking about playing club soccer in college.
The West Orange Girls’ Soccer Team is ready to face whatever challenges come their way. They a
ren’t just playing for trophies—they’re playing for each other, their community, and the love of the game. They know they are part of something bigger than themselves. And no matter the outcome, they are already winning where it counts the most—by building a legacy of teamwork, perseverance, and heart.
“We’re manifesting winning a section and success,” Hanna said with a smile. “We believe in ourselves, and we know we have what it takes.”
