Sophomore forward finds her groove
Juliana Mack Greco is one of the most improved players on the Niagara College Knights women’s soccer team this season.
The 19-year-old Welland native got her feet wet at the OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) level last season as a rookie and this year has taken the next step.
“She’s earned a starting role on the left wing and she’s contributing this year, so kudos to her,” Knights coach Rob Lalama said. “It took her a season to adjust, which is this year.
“I’m pleasantly surprised what she’s contributing.”
The Centennial graduate chalks up her improved play to experience.
“It’s easier (this year) but it’s probably just confidence,” she said. “It was difficult just because it’s just a faster pace and I had never played that level before so I guess this year I’m used to it more.”
Lalama said the jump to post-secondary from high school is huge.
“It’s a more skilled game and it’s more physical so if you’re not used to playing at that kind of level, either you adjust or you don’t,” he said. “You need to have all of those things — speed, skill, physicality, soccer IQ — and because everything’s faster, you need to be smarter.”
The veteran coach likes Mack Greco’s skill set.
“She’s good one on one and attacking and she’s a good crosser of the ball because she’s a natural lefty on the left wing,” he said.
Mack Greco, who also plays at Club Roma, tries to keep it simple.
“I just try and create as many scoring opportunities (as I can) to get the ball up the field.”
She admits to feeling relieved now that she is contributing on a more consistent basis.
“It’s so much better. It just makes me feel, not that I have more of a purpose, but it kind of just makes you feel more confident and that you’re contributing,” she said.
The nursing student said balancing school and soccer comes down to organization.
“Just moment to moment, planning things in advance and knowing when things are due and when I need to be doing my reading and just organizing that around the soccer time,” she said.
The Knights, coming off a 4-1 loss at Redeemer Wednesday, have a week off before resuming their regular season schedule, which has three games remaining.
Lalama said the Knights need to be at their best down the stretch.
“If we don’t play, we’re not going to get results,” he said. “After last night’s loss, I always analyze the video and there’s some corrections we have to make and reminders to get back to the basics. I think that will set us up for the last three games and the playoff run.”
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