The Wilton-Lyndeborough girls soccer team recovered from an 0-4 start to finish 4-10 and grab the final spot in the NHIAA Division IV playoffs. But before the Warriors could hop on the bus for Wednesday’s opener at Woodsville, they were forced to forfeit the game and drop out of the tournament after learning that head coach Kaelyn Theodoulou had contracted COVID-19.
The Warriors already had a couple players in COVID protocol, WLC Athletic Director Brice Miller said, and were likely to bring just 12 up to the road playoff game Wednesday anyway.
Theodoulou said she tested positive on Tuesday, but all her remaining players tested negative and didn’t show symptoms.
Miller said he worked with WLC adminstration and medical professionals to determine the best course of action before contacting Woodsville Athletic Director Jon Lester to work out the details. The two schools ultimately agreed that WLC would forfeit the game and give Woodsville the win to avoid potentially exposing their players to COVID.
“If the shoe were on the other foot, I would appreciate that courtesy,” Miller said. “We would hate to be the ones to derail Woodsville’s chances at a state championship.”
Theodoulou was understandably disappointed with the abrupt end to the promising season.
“We had to give up our whole season that these girls worked so hard for,” Theodoulou said. “It’s ridiculous.”
Miller said more of the WLC team entered COVID protocol Wednesday morning and were unlikely to field enough players that evening even if they had not forfeited.
Theodoulou declined to indicate whether or not she had been vaccinated against COVID-19.
It was a tough season for the Warriors, who had to search for a new coach just weeks ahead of the season and started with just 10 varsity players before calling up some middle-schoolers to join the team. Senior back Sam Boette, who missed the first five games with a broken hand, played the rest of the way with a bubble-wrapped cast, a testament to the Warriors’ determination. WLC had their final two games against Newport and Hinsdale canceled due to COVID protocols, as well, robbing the Warriors of their senior night. Boette said that the news of their playoff forfeit was met with stunned silence.
“After all that,” Boette said, “when we all got the text that coach had COVID and that our season has ended, the group chat went silent, especially from the seniors. I don’t know what to feel. Disappointment for sure – but what are you gonna do? Especially for us seniors who make up most of the team, since we have not had a senior night.”
Meanwhile, the WLC boys team is also temporarily without a coach, as head coach Dan Nelson was exposed to COVID-19 and must quarantine away from his players until Saturday.
Nelson said he has tested negative twice since the exposure, but since he is not vaccinated, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human protocols require him to quarantine.
Some of WLC’s players are also in COVID protocol and were unavailable for Wednesday’s rescheduled playoff opener against Pittsfield. However, the majority of the team has not tested positive or exhibited any symptoms, Miller said, and are in the district’s 14-day “self-monitoring” phase following exposure.
“Kids can still come to school if they are feeling healthy,” Miller said, “and we’re trusting the parents on that. We have to take their word for it.”