When Lasers head coach Vito La Francesca began looking at Brewster Academy defender Korynne Provenzano, it started a five-year journey of personal and team success for Provenzano.
“What drew us to Korynne was her talent on the field,” said La Francesca. “She had a tremendous vision for the game; she was phenomenal on her one v ones and her speed itself.”
Provenzano started in 16 of the 17 games that she played her freshman year, leading to an All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Third Team selection and a GNAC title for the team. However, early struggles adjusting to life as a collegiate student-athlete brought her to tell La Francesca that she was considering a transfer.
“We didn’t want to lose her, by all means, but we also want to make sure that she was happy and she was going to a place where she was comfortable,” said La Francesca. “We sat down, and we talked about how college soccer is going to be the same no matter where you go. The only difference is the coaching philosophy, and style, and how to handle the situation… At the end of the day, she decided to stay.”
The decision to stay led Provenzano to another All-GNAC Third Team and a First Team selection in her sophomore and junior years. The team also reached another GNAC final before her senior year was taken away by the COVID-19 pandemic precautions.
“It was a blessing in disguise because at the time before COVID, I wasn’t really ready to let go and for it to end,” said Provenzano. “Then we all got a year of eligibility and being able to come back this year. It was the perfect way to go out.”
During her graduate year, Provenzano started 18 games for the Lasers, tallying two goals and an assist as a defender. This impact got her an All-New England Second Team selection and helped the Lasers reach another GNAC title game.
Her teammates will remember Provenzano as one of the toughest matchups, especially in practice. “I’ve never played against anybody like Korynne,” said Serena Speight, a senior forward and Provenzano’s teammate of four years. “She just pushed me in other ways that I don’t think I’ve been pushed before.”
In this final season as a Laser, Provenzano also got the opportunity to affect the team as a leader despite not being a captain in her final year.
“Coming in the fifth year, she had every quality of a captain. She had all the leadership of a captain,” said La Francesca. “What she taught the younger group, as you know, you don’t need the title, you can still lead, and you can still be an impact player and accomplish everything and more.”
La Francesca said that Provenzano’s legacy stands as the best defender in his time with the program. “I don’t think they appreciate how phenomenal a player she was,” said La Francesca.
Whether it is crucial tackles, teaching underclassmen, or even providing levity on long bus rides, it will be hard for the Lasers to replace the hole left behind by Provenzano.