Winning is now a tradition: For the U12 girls soccer team
by Sarah Barr
Staff Writer
Adult athletes tend to celebrate winning sports championships like children. But in this case, the champions are children themselves. The 2026 Wethersfield U12 (under 12 years old) girls soccer team won the CT Cup Championship.
“It’s truly incredible,” Coach Luigi Guerrera said. “These girls have won it in fifth and sixth grade and this is truly amazing. They’ve accomplished so much, so fast.”
The pivotal point came early in the competition when Wethersfield played Greenwich. In Coach Guerrera’s opinion, they were two “odds-on favorites” to win it all.
“To play them in the second round and win 4-2 to me, the way they played, the girls were locked in. They came out ready. Probably the best game I’ve seen them play,” he said.
Another turning point was a low one. A couple of weeks later one of their players tore her anterior cruciate knee ligament.
“I felt horrible, just awful for her. She’s a great kid. It was both unfortunate and unlucky. She did not participate in the championship game.”
Guerrera is a 30-plus years Wethersfield resident and father-figure for the team. He has the honor of coaching his youngest daughter Daniella, who follows in the championship footsteps (or in this case cleats) of her two older sisters, Gianna and Sofia.
“To win one, but two? The fact that I’ve been able to win two cup championships with all three of my daughters, it’s very surreal to be in that position,” the proud father said. “I really can’t put it into words.”
But he does.
“I really give credit to the girls. For them to put in the work and love playing with their friends and go out there and compete, it’s truly awesome. I just love it,” he said.
He loves coaching.
“This is creating good habits, no matter what level you play at next. How to stay composed when challenges arise, regardless of the outcome,” he added, of how sports is the metaphor of life.
Because, just as in life, you win some and you lose some.
“Prior to the first match in the spring I told them, it is OK to lose,” despite them winning most of their matches.
“When they did lose against North Haven, they cried. It was out of character. I wanted them to recognize that. I told them that what you are doing is not normal. You can’t win every match. The hardest thing to do is to go out and compete and then be a gracious loser and winner,” Guerrera said.
“That’s what makes this team so special, their superpower, if you will, their competitive spirit at this young age is something I haven’t seen. Their desire is off the charts. These girls have done it from day one.”
His next challenge as a coach is to maintain this consistency and not become complacent.
“It’s a trap of any athlete. Can we keep that drive and passion. They don’t want to let their teammates down,” he said.
He doesn’t want to let them down either. So, he keeps recruiting and bringing home championship trophies makes it an easy sell. As does Wethersfield’s rich soccer history.
The league traces its roots back to the late 1960s. There is so much to aspire to because the high school teams have won several state titles.
“My goal is to create an environment where they can have fun, learn the game of soccer and develop strong friendships,” Guerrera said.
Coaching is in his blood. It’s on his mind and, most importantly, it is in his heart. The rigors of coaching and recruiting are still fun for him. When asked if he will still coach after his own children have outgrown the league, the answer is yes.
“If I’m healthy enough, I would still like to. My wife might have other plans,” he joked. “I love soccer. It’s a beautiful sport. I love teaching kids.”
With that, this “father to them all” draws upon his own love, his own resilience, as well as his teams’ track records and all those memories. Because, when the stars align, it is more than a championship. It’s magic. WL
For more information go to wethersfieldsoccer.com or see Wethersfield Soccer Club on Facebook.