Name: Amanda Polyniak

Sport: Soccer

Grade: Freshman

Recent Performance:

Polyniak made the varsity team as a freshman, and managed to give herself quite the entrance, showing her value in just her third game. Against Old Tappan, PV’s biggest rival according to our rivalry poll, Polyniak didn’t just make her name, she forced it on all of us. She broke the 0-0 tie in the league game with an excellent shot in double overtime to bring home the win for PV.

Recent Team Results:

The girls soccer team got out to a hot start, going 4-1 before the shutdown. The team has amassed 19 goals in those games, while merely allowing 3 past their own keeper. The only loss came in dramatic fashion, with Demarest coming back from down 2-0 to win 3-2.

“We took a hard loss, but it was a really good and competitive game,” Polyniak said of the Demarest competition.

She is part of an undoubtedly talented group that is looking much better than last year, as the team went 7-10 in 2019.

Expectations:

Amid PV’s COVID-19 shutdown, Polyniak understands the uncertain nature of this season.

“I am going to take whatever we have and try to make the best of it,” Polyniak said.

The idea of being a team player is also very important to Polyniak this year as she enters into a new situation.

“I am just looking at how I can help the team, find the right pass, take the right shot,” Polyniak said.

The small, moral victories are nice, but the girls are looking for success too.

“As a team, we always have winning in mind, and are striving for our best,” Polyniak said. “We are just taking each game one at a time, and will hopefully pull out some wins.”

What She Likes Most About Soccer:

Polyniak loves the idea of working with a team towards a common goal, but when asked this question, one thing always comes to her mind.

“My favorite thing in soccer, simply put, is scoring goals,” Polyniak said.

Favorite Thing About PV: In her two months so far at PV, she has come to appreciate the culture and community around our school.

“Everything seems very together, almost like a family,” Polyniak said

What She Does In Her Free Time: She likes hanging out with friends and going on her phone.

One Thing People May Not Know: Polyniak has a pet hamster at home.

Role Models:

For soccer, Polyniak has many role models, and always looks up to her favorite professional players, such as Messi and Lavelle. However, her biggest role model has always been her mom.

“My biggest role model is definitely my mom.” Polyniak said. “She always supports me no matter what.”

Future Plans: Polyniak was to continue to have success playing under Lombardo with the girls team here at PV, but it is a dream of her’s to take her game to the next level and play in college.

Last Word: “I just want to continue to make an impact on the team, and be the best player that I can be,” Polyniak said.