Jack Jensen, Reporter
@jackjensencourant
Dillyn Patten proved to be a game-changer the entire season as the Rams striker, leading her team to the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) state playoffs. She proves to be just as important in lacrosse, committed to Cornell University for D1 lacrosse. Dillyn’s athletic talent is not the only thing that contributes to her success as a multi-sport varsity athlete, it’s her drive and determination to succeed that make her such a good athlete.
Dillyn started playing soccer in kindergarten and has trained rigorously since. “Kindergarten was when I first started playing,” she said. “I’ll go on a run to stay in shape but other than that, during the season, we just have practice.
“In the offseason, I play for a club team called CFC (Connecticut Football Club), which just helps me stay on the ball and stay in shape,” Dillyn said. “We also do a preseason camp which involves running and skill work.’’
New Canaan high school’s soccer coach Rick Hickson talked about Dillyn’s play so far, “This year she has been huge, coming in as a senior captain set the tone of the team with the performances on the field.
Balancing lacrosse and soccer was not always easy for Dillyn. “It was really hard at the beginning of high school, freshman year, I was still deciding which sport I really wanted to focus on,” she said.
Dillyn was able to come to a compromise. “It just depends on which sport is in season,” she said. “It’s soccer season right now so soccer will always come first.’’
“She’s definitely become stronger physically, her ability to hold off defenders has been good,” Coach Hickson said. “She’s a striker so she’s really been putting the ball in the back of the net.”
Dillyn’s diligent work ethic contributes to her success as a multi-sport varsity athlete. “Dillyn always works incredibly hard,” Coach Hickson said. “When we play a game she puts absolutely everything into it where sometimes we have to take her out because she is just completely spent. When she is on the field she gives 100% to the team and during practice she demands it of the other people as well.”
“Being really positive and always encouraging my teammates is my goal no matter what happens during the playoffs,’’ Dillyn said.
