COVERING the Field: introducing Catherine Cazayoux

“Catherine Cazayoux is one of the most dangerous soccer players in the state,” stated second year Champlain Valley Union (CVU) head girls soccer coach Stan Williams. “Her combination of foot skills, toughness, creativity, and soccer IQ make her one of the most complete players I have ever coached. This year, we are playing her in an attacking midfield role where she uses her vision and technical ability to anchor our attack,” coach Williams shared, much to the chagrin of the other D-I players and coaches.

Born in Mendon, N. J., Catherine and her family relocated to Charlotte when she was five years old. Her family includes parents, Celia and Michael, older sister Olivia, a McGill junior, older brother Bennett, a freshman at Carleton College, younger sister Lilly, an eighth grader at the Charlotte Central School, a dog named Biscuit, and three cats, Tommy, Licorice, and Daisy.

Cazayoux put shin guards on at an early age. “I actually remember attending a soccer camp with a friend when I was just three years old. I always liked the sport,” she explained. “I have been playing soccer ever since.”

With a combination of skills gleaned from a variety of organizations including recreational soccer, middle school, year round play on competitive travel teams for Far Post Soccer Club and Nordic Soccer Club, plus the Olympic Development Program, Cazayoux is competitive in all phases of the game. Her preparation and dedication to soccer is paying off for CVU.

“It has been fun to watch Catherine grow these last two years—she has really committed herself to working hard in training and the sky is the limit for her as a soccer player,” Williams commented. “I’m just glad I get to be part of her soccer experience.”

And her experience has been a success. Not only is the team a perfect 6-0 so far this season, only one goal has been scored against the Redhawks’ stingy defense. Not to mention that Cazayoux, a prolific scorer, has 4 goals in the same time frame.

Even her greatest achievement is related to soccer. “I think my proudest moment was winning the state championship in soccer for the second time last year,” she noted. “The first time was great, but the second time was even better.”

Cazayoux, a three-year-varsity player and CVU junior, is starting to contemplate her future. “I definitely want to play soccer in college,” she said. “I’m looking to attend college out west, specifically the Pacific Northwest. I want to try something new.” Based on past experience, there is no doubt that Cazayoux will be successful. She just has to take it one goal at a time.