The varsity girls soccer team won second place in districts after a 3-1 win against Cedar Park on March 8. The team finished 10-1-3 in districts and are 15-4-3 overall as of March 25.
“We’re all super close and we have good friendships all around,” junior Kacey Grahmann said. “We all really like each other. On the field, it’s super easy to get along and play well. It’s worth it for me because I get to continue this experience and make new friendships my whole life.”
After every goal, the team surrounds the player who scored in celebration.
“It feels nice when your teammates are proud of you and the validation when your teammates go to hug you,” sophomore Jessica Aldrich said. “It’s just special because you get a moment so small that’s so special to everyone.”
Every Thursday, the team will go to a player’s house for dinner to hang out and prepare for the night’s game.
“ The environment is really competitive, but honestly, it’s probably some of the best soccer I’ve played,” freshman Alise Martin said. “It’s so competitive, but also upbeat, and it just allows you to play your game and use your skills, but also connect as a team and just feel as one.”
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Against Liberty Hill on Jan. 26, junior Alexandra Martin steals the ball. Although she was injured and unable to finish the season, Martin still went to every game in support of her team. “I feel like a lot of people don’t think girls soccer is as competitive, but we have a lot of great people on our team,” Martin said. “I wish they knew that we’re very competitive. It’s not an amateur sport.”
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At warm-up, senior Kate Baker bonds with her teammate at the Stony Point game on Dec. 9. As a senior, Baker said she made it her goal to help underclassmen make connections. “I think we’re hard on ourselves and we keep each other accountable, but we don’t get frustrated or take anything personally on the field,” Baker said. “We’ll yell and say things, but it’s never personal and we’re always friends after.”
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At a game against Stony Point, junior Eunji Bae defends the ball. Bae played outside back, meaning she both stole the ball and tried to slow the other team down. “I feel like the smile on everyone’s faces after each game and doing good as a team [makes it worth it],” Bae said. “It’s not an individual thing, it’s a team accomplishment.”
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To prepare for specific teams, coach Corey Elrod has the team watch films of previous games to help the players formulate strategies based on their gameplay.
“I can tell he genuinely cares about our team and our well being,” junior Alexandra Martin said. “He’s always trying to get the best information, like learning drills to help us. He’s always trying to improve his coaching and improve us as players all the time.”
Although she got injured and was unable to finish the season, Martin still goes to every game to support her team.
“I feel like a lot of people feel like soccer is boring and they don’t think girls soccer is as competitive, but we have a lot of great people on our team that are definitely going places,” Martin said. “I just wish they knew that we’re very competitive and that it’s not just an amateur sport.”