Dream Team

"Never put yourself above your team. Always remember that the team comes first!"
- Kaitlin Iulo, 2008 team captain, Lady Seahawks soccer

On Friday, May 16, 2008, 18 young ladies representing Hilton Head Island High School proved that kicking and screaming can be appropriate behaviors. As they dribbled, passed and kicked their way to the AAA state championship in soccer-a sweet victory for the team and a first for the school-screams of ecstasy echoed in the stands and across the field.

According to lone senior and team captain, Kaitlin Iulo, it was Coach Larry Tavino's strict standards and contagious passion for the game that stoked the fire under this talented group of athletes and ultimately led them to the pinnacle of success. "He was really a positive influence on our team. He had a way of enforcing his expectations without having to say it," she said. "We all knew what was expected of us without him having to preach to us."

With more than 20 years coaching experience, this was Tavino's first year coaching soccer at HHI High School. His no-nonsense approach (coupled with knowledge, experience and a likeable personality) quickly earned him respect. "He's pretty matter-of-fact," said Kaitlin. "When we stepped on the field for practice, we knew there was not going to be a lot of talking or fooling around. We were there to work."

The work paid off when the team won their last 15 games in a row, defeating Riverside (a school with a collection of 11 state championship trophies in girls soccer) 3-1 to clinch the title.

According to Kaitlin, pulling together and putting personal differences aside made the team stronger and more cohesive in competition. While the girls were all friendly enough to start, the inevitable cliques existed, she explained. But when it came down to the game, none of that mattered. "When you have a common goal among a group of people, everybody works together to achieve that goal," she said. "I feel like that is what happened with this team."

"To see them play so well was very rewarding," said Tavino. But the most satisfying thing was the chemistry of the team and the relationships-seeing the girls learn to come together through sport, through competition and through success. At the end, everybody was hugging. There were no dividing lines."

Describing the Lady Seahawks as "an amazing bunch," Tavino extolled not only their athletic abilities, but their academic records and diverse interests. "They are well-rounded, outstanding students. Whatever they do, they are dedicated," he said.

Praising Coach Tavino, Kaitlin said, "He was just as passionate about us winning as we were as a group. He's so devoted to soccer. He lives and breathes the game. I really believe he helped us have the same passion."

According to Kaitlin, that passion goes beyond the soccer field, and many of the skills learned help prepare players for future challenges. "The physical training has really taught me about perseverance," she said. "When I really want something, just tell me how hard I have to work to get it."

They wanted it. They worked for it. They got it. Congratulations, Lady Seahawks!
See what all the kicking and screaming is about at www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?s=8339386.


Up Close

Team Stats: Overall record, 17-2; Region; 6-0; Goals for, 86; goals against, 10; Shutouts, 12 Player awards: All-State (voted by state coaches): Kaitlin Iulo, Abby Fennessey All-Region (voted by region coaches): Stephanie Sosa, Emily Natoli, Jean Weisner, Kaitlin Iulo, Abby Fennessey Academic Award (highest GPA): Emily Natoli
MVP (voted by players): Kaitlin Iulo Best Offensive Player (voted by players): Stephanie Sosa, Abby Fennessey (tie) Best Defensive Player (voted by players): Jean Weisner Seahawk Award (voted by players): Kaitlin Iulo