Her role may have changed, but Sydney Lee's contributions to Valley soccer remain at a high level.

After amassing a school-record 33 goals in 13 games as an 8th grader for John Winthrop Middle School, Sydney, a freshman striker, had to adjust and become more of a passer for the Warriors this fall. Sydney ultimately notched three assists on the campaign, including two after sophomore forward Ashley Sherman was injured, and played a pivotal role in Valley's state tournament bid, according to Head Coach Yves Noiset.

"Sydney is a terrific player who just needs to grow into a strong high school player. She played more of a setup role this year because her dribbling and passing skills are very good. She could take a ball, beat a player, and then give a good pass to another who was in a better position," says Noiset. "Several referees commented to me on her play this year. Sydney also has speed, though she seems not to go to it as often as the others. She is also the smallest of the group, but is also very tough and will become a fine player. Sydney plays outside of the soccer season for Connecticut Football Club. Thus, she is a year-round player. I look for big things from this girl. She may not get 33 goals in a season again, but she will have several next year, I am certain."

Facing a new tier of opponents, Sydney needed to change her mentality when she had the ball.

"It wasn't what I expected; my first game, I kept getting pummeled. I needed to get out that feeling that I thought it would be easy," says Sydney, who also scored in the Warriors' state tournament victory over Enfield. "It was hard going from John Winthrop to Valley, because at John Winthrop, we were at the top of our age group when we played. I was used to taking the ball up myself and passing it off when I needed to. But I knew I couldn't do that at the high school level, so I started to pass off more, but then come back to the ball. I also tried to make through balls as well."

When her fellow striker went down, she knew she had to create chances for others.

"When Ashley went down, I was worried because she was a big part of the team, and I knew it would be a big weight on my shoulders," Sydney says. "For me, it wasn't about trying to score, but rather making opportunities happen for others."

Sydney's toughness comes from refusal to display softness to opponents.

"Ever since I was little and playing travel soccer, I refuse to cry. I think I've only cried maybe twice since I was five years old," says Sydney. "When you cry, it shows your vulnerability, and I don't like that feeling. I just hate showing weakness."

One of her scores came on an emotional penalty kick versus rival Morgan.

"In that game I was shaken so badly after a girl fouled me out, and I wanted the penalty kick because I knew I could make it," says Sydney, whose team won that matchup, 2-0. "As I went up there, I started to shake because I was scared that I might miss, but it went into the corner of the goal, and I was so happy."

There may be question marks next season, but Sydney is ecstatic for the future.

"I am worried about next year with some seniors leaving, and we have no idea who our goalkeeper will be," says Sydney, who thanks junior teammates, Stephanie Clapp and Paige LaCasse. "But I'm also excited, because we have so many juniors next year, so hopefully we can be really good."