Berkshire girls go into championship undefeated

   “The best team ever,â€� is how Byron Gilderdale describes his Berkshire United Soccer U12 girls team. And he would say the same if they weren’t undefeated and headed for a championship game Nov. 15.

This past Sunday, at their home field in Cornwall, they shut out Middlebury to move into the final post-season round.

“They’re a bunch of really good girls who are devoted to soccer and their team,� said the coach, who was looking for recognition for his hard-working players. But the story includes those on the sidelines, including soccer club organizers, coaches and the parents, whose support, Gilderdale said, makes all the difference.

“I never have to worry about the girls getting to practice. The parents are always on the sidelines, cheering.�

Gilderdale, an East Canaan resident, began coaching when his daughter, Lauren played. He was one of those rare volunteers who stayed on even after his kid was done. He played a little in school, but “soccer wasn’t big back then.�

“We were a football family, until my daughter got into soccer, and got me into it. Now we watch the other football.�

But he finds his real joy of the sport on the field, watching girls age 12 and under give their all.

“I’d much rather coach girls,� he said. “The boys think they know it all. Girls are like sponges. They soak up the training.�

That included working with Scottish trainer Allen Stewart, who bumped up individual and team performance.

The U12 team has members from all six Region One towns. They usually don’t have to try out since the population here simply doesn’t afford an abundance of players.

“It’s good that everyone gets to play. But we play teams from a lot of bigger towns, so in theory, there’s more talent to choose from. In Danbury, for instance, 300 girls tried out for 15 spots.�

Apart from an exceptional group of girls, Gilderdale sees a difference in that the long-standing club has taken on new leadership and direction.

In North Canaan, 134 kids came out for a summer training camp. There is a definite momentum building.

Gilderdale plans to coach Berkshire again in the spring, and take over the North Canaan Elementary School girls’ team in the fall.

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