Melanie Reis Goes Back to her Roots

Soccer is a big part of Melanie Reis’s family. With both of her parents from Brazil, they signed her up for soccer in 4th grade.

“I liked being part of a team—I’d never played a team sport before—making friends, and learning the game,” says Melanie, now a junior at East Haven High School.

She played with East Haven Youth Soccer before joining the Melillo Middle School team. Melanie took a break her freshman year but decided to join the high school team again last year.

“Our whole culture got me to do it again,” says Melanie. “I missed it a lot and wanted to come back, but I had a lot of catching up to do.”

After splitting time between varsity and JV her sophomore year, Melanie has worked hard to earn a starting role on the varsity team this year.

“She has worked very hard this year to improve her fitness and athleticism,” says Coach Don Dione. “She has very good ball skills and learns the tactics we are teaching very quickly; she is a smart player and a good student. She has proven to be very versatile this year.

“She is the most improved player this year and is quickly becoming as valuable member of the team on the field as she has been off the field for a while,” Dione adds. “It seems that every year there is a player that steps up and is a surprise contributor. This year it is clearly Melanie. She started the year as a substitute who was going to get limited playing time, but she has played so well that she has earned more and more time until now she has become a starter.”

Melanie has started at central midfielder and outside defender and has one assist this season. This season’s team is breaking in a new defensive unit and Melanie is happy to be a part of the transition.

“For most of my life, I’ve been a defender and the pressure motivates me to work harder,” she says. “Our defense is filling in very well. We’re building a strong backbone for the defense and should continue to do well.”

Melanie prepared for this season by playing with the town’s league in the spring and hopes to join an indoor team this winter in preparation for her senior year. She also gets tips closer to home.

“My dad played and still plays in a league, too,” says Melanie. “He and my brother both help me and then give me advice after games. My dad has definitely helped me and growing up, I’ve gotten a lot of advice from him. My teammates have helped me a lot to become a better player by working together during practices. They give me advice and if I make a mistake, they help me correct it.”

All of the advice she has received and hard work she has put in paid off with her starting role this year. Better yet, Melanie has another year left to play with the Yellowjackets before heading to college where she hopes to eventually study law or medicine.

“I’m really looking forward to next year because it will be my last year,” says Melanie, who is also a member of drama and choir. “I worked hard to get a position on the varsity team. I’ve played some really good games and hope to improve throughout the rest of the season. As a team, we’ve really come together.”