A new cooperative girls soccer program is set to bring together players from Terryville High School and Gilbert School for the upcoming fall season, a move driven by dwindling roster sizes and the desire to keep the sport alive in both communities.
Coaches Jared Fritch and Maggie Bossi, who will guide the combined squad, say the partnership reflects a pragmatic response to a 12‑player roster at Terryville, seven of whom are seniors, and the logistical hurdle of a 30‑minute commute between Winsted and Terryville that complicates practice schedules.
Mark Fowler, the athletic director at Terryville, initiated the discussions with Gilbert, recalling a short‑lived co‑op with Thomaston that dissolved in 2013. The initiative comes as Gilbert, which finished 0‑16 last year and hasn't reached the state tournament since 2010, hopes to use the alliance to rebuild interest and eventually field its own team.
Under the agreement, Gilbert will host a preseason scrimmage and three regular‑season matches, while Terryville will host four contests. The schedule not only eases travel burdens but also gives each school a chance to showcase the co‑op to families and local supporters.
A Path Forward
Both schools share a long‑term vision: to use this season as a bridge back to independent programs. Terryville, which finished 13‑5‑1 last year as runner‑up to the Berkshire League champion Nonnewaug, sees the co‑op as a way to sustain competitive momentum, while Gilbert aims to leverage the experience for future growth. The co‑op also opens the door for other sports, with Terryville considering a similar arrangement for softball as participation numbers continue to shrink. For now, the combined squad represents a hopeful experiment that could reshape how small‑town programs sustain athletic opportunities.