The Saratoga Central Catholic Ladies Soccer team, once teetering on the brink of dissolution because of a shortage of coaches, has been rescued and reshaped by a pair of dedicated volunteers.
Brian Venn, whose own daughter wears the team's jersey, stepped in as head coach, while Tony Nucrea took on the role of assistant, together turning a 1‑15 season into a nine‑win campaign and a return to the sectional quarterfinals.
The roster has swelled to include 11 underclassmen, nearly double its former size, and features standout athletes such as senior captain Addison Quail, the program’s only full‑time soccer player, as well as multi‑sport competitors like Grace Schaefer and Sophia Ryan.
Community backing has played a crucial role; parents organize fundraising events at Cooperstown Distillery that have funded new jerseys and an independent schedule, while the school’s partnership with Skidmore College adds prestige through special evening matches.
The team’s preparation intensifies each summer, with twice‑daily practices that begin after the Labor Day weekend tournament in Bolton Landing and continue into the regular season, where league play opens on September 8 against Hadley Luzere.
With a target of 20 victories this year, the Lady Knights hope to capture a sectional title and earn a spot in the state tournament, a goal that reflects the program’s rapid growth and renewed ambition.
A New Era for the Lady Knights
The transformation under Venn and Nucrea marks a decisive shift, as the team moves from a struggling program to a competitive force driven by local support and a clear vision for success.