Captain Ana Silverio robotically ties up her left cleat then moves to her right. She repeats the left-to-right ritual as she fashions her shin guards. Energy tickles the air and ripples throughout the bleachers. It feels so good to be back on the battlefield.

“I’m so exited,” Silverio said. “Being a senior, it was a bittersweet start, but the team has been closer than ever and I’m so exited to step on the field with them.”

After playing an alumni game Jan. 1, the varsity girls soccer team started their season at the Lady Highlander Invitational in Woodlands. They finished the tournament 1-1-1, opening the season with a 1-0 win over Boerne-Champion 1-0, Jan 7 and tying New Braunfels 1-1, Jan. 9.

They stayed a little closer to home for their second tournament, playing at the Round Rock ISD Tournament, Jan. 14-16. They finished 1-1-2, with ties against Cooper and Anderson the first day, a loss to Highland Park the second day and a 1-0 win the final day over College Park.

“A lot of hard teams where there,” head coach Lindsay Williams said. “We competed very well for a young team. They grew up and lessons were learned. Overall, we were very successful.”

The girls faced crosstown rival Cedar Park Jan. 21, losing 4-1.

“They are a very familiar team,” Silverio said. “Their coach used to coach here. We were going into it pretty confident, but I guess we just had an off game. But overall, it was positive.”

The team finally had their first home game, Jan. 26, playing Pflugerville in the district opener. They won 3-0 to start 1-0 in district and improve to 2-2-3 overall.

“It was a good way to start off district,” Williams said. “It put some positive light into the girls winning our first district game. It’s good to have a solid winning basis as we go into the season.”

Even though the team lost lead goal scorer Katie Glenn, who now plays for The University of Texas, the team is still hopeful for their upcoming games.

“Winning our first district game definitely brought the team closer,” Silverio said. “Many of of use thought this season was going to be tougher than last season considering we losing Katie, but winning 3-0 calmed everyone’s nerves and gave us a lot of excitement to see what other great things are ahead of us this season. with this win, we are ready to work hard as a team to surprise people this season.”

DISTRICT SOCCER SCHEDULE
Jan. 26 vs Pflugerville, 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 at Westwood, 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 at Round Rock, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 vs McNeil, 7 p.m.
Feb. 9 vs. Cedar Ridge, 7 p.m.
Feb. 12 Stony Point, 7 p.m.
Feb. 16 at Hendrickson, 7 p.m.
Feb. 19 at Pflugerville, 7 p.m.
Feb. 23 vs Westwood, 7 p.m.
Feb. 26 vs Round Rock, 7 p.m.
March 1 at McNeil, 7 p.m.
March 4 at Cedar Ridge 7 p.m.
March 8 at Stony Point, 7 p.m.
March 11 at Hendrickson, 7 p.m.