CITIZEN’S NEWS
Several local student-athletes from Naugatuck and Woodland recently signed to compete at the Division I level. Naugatuck soccer player Lauren Sonski will play at Iona, Woodland softball player Samantha Sosnovich will head to Merrimack, and Woodland soccer player Paige Letourneau will move to Long Island.
Naugatuck’s Lauren Sonski poses for a photo with Iona University undergraduate admissions counselor Jack Ruscetta. Sonski committed to play soccer for the Gaels.
Sonski headed to Iona: Naugatuck senior Lauren Sonski is looking forward to making the same kind of impact that she did as the leading scorer for the Greyhounds on the soccer field.
The two-sport athlete has earned All-NVL honors on both soccer and track and has set her sights on putting in that same kind of commitment at the collegiate level.
“As nervous as I am to move to the next level, I’m beyond excited to be part of a team that is just as eager as I am to work hard,” Sonski said. “I expect to earn my time on the field as well as improve over the next four years and build lasting bonds with my future teammates.”
Sonski recently signed a letter of intent to attend Iona University in New Rochelle, N.Y., as a member of the soccer team. The Gaels, under head coach Todd Plourde, compiled an 8-7-4 record this past fall competing in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
“There were a lot of things that factored into my final decision to attend this school,” Sonski said. “The environment the team has built was a huge part of it. I felt the coaching staff and the players all want the best for each other.”
Sonski is also excited for the academic opportunities at Iona. She said she liked the school’s reputation for business and other concentrations.
“I plan on studying criminal justice, but I’m also excited to try other majors as well,” Sonski said. “One of the main reasons I felt this was the best choice for me is that the school feels like a tight-knit community. Another big thing is they prioritize academics, making sure your schedules are built around training and competition so you are not losing any classroom time. I feel this is the best choice for me and I’m excited to be a member of this team.”
Woodland’s Sam Sosnovich signed to play softball for Merrimack
College.
Two Hawks sign to play: Woodland senior Samantha Sosnovich will become the second Hawk in as many years to advance to Division I softball when she goes to Merrimack College in the fall.
Sosnovich, an All-State pitcher and shortstop who helped Woodland win its first softball state title last spring, will join a program that is completing its transition to the Division I level. Next year will be the Warriors’ first year as a full Division I member in the Northeast Conference after several decades in the Northeast-10, a Division II conference.
Merrimack is located in North Andover, Mass., but it might as well be Beacon Falls to Sosnovich.
“I chose Merrimack because it felt like home,” Sosnovich said.
Woodland’s Paige Letourneau signed to play soccer for Long Island University.
Sosnovich isn’t the only Woodland senior who will play Division I athletics next year. Paige Letourneau, an All-State soccer player, recently signed to attend Long Island University. The Sharks compete in the Northeast Conference and have two Long Island campuses in Brooklyn and Brookville, N.Y.
Letourneau enjoyed a standout junior season and helped Woodland to the 2021 NVL title, but she missed her senior season with a torn ACL.
