Home Mullica Hill News The Sun One-On-One … with Clearview goalkeeper McKenna Dalfonso

The Sun One-On-One … with Clearview goalkeeper McKenna Dalfonso

The Sun One-On-One … with Clearview goalkeeper McKenna Dalfonso

The Pioneers junior keeper makes her pick in a South Jersey soccer mock draft, chooses an idol and a favorite soccer player, and reveals the funny way she found herself in goal for the first time as a kid

Clearview High School junior goalkeeper McKenna Dalfonso. (RYAN LAWRENCE, The Sun)

Clearview Regional High School girls soccer team was unbeaten in its division in the Tri-County Conference through mid-October, thanks in part to eking out a 3–2 win over an upstart Gloucester County Institute of Technology team.

Entering play on Oct. 19, Clearview was 6–0–1 in the Tri-County Royal division and 11–4–1 overall. Basically, they are sitting pretty just in time for the playoffs and could be a threat to pull off an upset in the incredibly strong South Jersey Group 4 playoff field.

One of the Pioneers’ strengths is the stability they have in goal. Junior and Division-I hopeful McKenna Dalfonso is one of the best goalies in South Jersey. She recently took time to take part in the latest edition of The SunOne-on-One.

The Sun: Have you always been a goalie?

McKenna Dalfonso: Since I was young. I started out playing forward and then I was just thrown into goal when someone had to go to the bathroom. I’ve loved it ever since.

The Sun: How old were you?

Dalfonso: I don’t know, maybe 8 or 9.

The Sun: That’s funny, just because someone went to the bathroom you’re a goalie.

Dalfonso: [Laughs]. Yeah, I was like, “OK.”

The Sun: Anyone else in your family play soccer?

Dalfonso: No. I have an older brother but he doesn’t play sports. We’re like opposites.

The Sun: I have an older brother like that, too. What’s the biggest thing a goalie can do to prepare?

Dalfonso: Just, I’m very superstitious, so I have to do the same thing every day. I just go in with confidence, I used to not have any confidence. So I just have to build it up for every game to make sure I play good.

The Sun: So what’s the №1 superstition?

Dalfonso: I have to listen to the same music, I have to wear the same headband. I always have my hair in a braid. I always put on my right cleat first.

The Sun: Same music all the time? What is it?

Dalfonso: Just rap.

(RYAN LAWRENCE, The Sun)

The Sun: Do you play any other sports?

Dalfonso: I play basketball, but I don’t think I’m playing this year because of club soccer.

The Sun: If all of New Jersey had a pickup game tomorrow, and everyone was there, who are you picking first?

Dalfonso: Probably Riley Tiernan from Eastern. I play club with her.

The Sun: OK, I have the next pick and I have to take a goalie. Who should I pick?

Dalfonso: Me. [Laughs.]

The Sun: That’s a good answer. Where do you want to play in college, do you know yet?

Dalfonso: I’m looking. I think I want to play down South. I really like N.C. State. I went to Seton Hall last weekend and I liked it. Wherever (it feels like) my home.

The Sun: I don’t want to twist your arm, but I went to Clemson and I think they’re good.

Dalfonso: That’s a very good school.

The Sun: What’s your favorite subject in school?

Dalfonso: Gym. [laughs]

The Sun: That’s an honest answer, I like it. Do you have a favorite teacher?

Dalfonso: Can it be from any grade? I like Mr. (Bruce) Ewing. I had him from Bio last year.

Clearview High School junior goalkeeper McKenna Dalfonso celebrates with Sydney Strauss after the Pioneers score a goal in the second half against GCIT. (RYAN LAWRENCE, The Sun)

The Sun: Do you have a role model?

Dalfonso: Role model? My mom (Tammy Dalfonso). She supports me every game, is always there, anything I need, she has it.

The Sun: Do you have a favorite soccer player?

Dalfonso: Jill Loyden. She retired, was on the U.S. national team. I trained with her, she has the Keeper Institute.

The Sun: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Dalfonso: Married with a family, kids playing soccer of course.

The Sun: Coaching maybe?

Dalfonso: Maybe, yeah.

The Sun: Any TV shows you’re currently into?

Dalfonso: I like “Criminal Minds.” I think I want to go into criminal justice when I’m older.

The Sun: Who is your funniest teammate?

Dalfonso: Probably Jackie Norris.

The Sun: Who is your smartest teammate?

Dalfonso: Smartest? Probably Bri Groch, she got a 1500 on her SATs.

The Sun: A 1500, that’s no joke.

Dalfonso: Yeah.

The Sun: Where is she going to college?

Dalfonso: She applied to Johns Hopkins and Rutgers.

The Sun: If you’re at the state tournament and every player gets their own entrance music, what are you picking?

Dalfonso: Probably (Meek Mill’s) “Dreams and Nightmares,” just like the Eagles walk out to. I’m a big fan of the Eagles.

(RYAN LAWRENCE, The Sun)

For more photos from Clearview’s recent 3–2 win over GCIT, click here.

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