Girls Soccer: Cleats on, Game on!
The sun has forced its way through the thinning clouds, and its warmth lingers a little longer as it softens the morning chill. The days are getting longer, with sunlight beginning to stretch further and further into the evening. Winter is coming to an end, and with it comes the start of spring - a new beginning and the long-anticipated return of the competitive Girls Soccer season.
Cleats scrape against the pavement as players make their way to the field, bags slung over their shoulders, water bottles in hand. The afternoons buzz with energy, with the hiss of air pumps filling soccer balls, the scrape of goalposts being moved into place, and the excited talk amongst players as they lace up their cleats. Tryouts have been in full swing all week, with nearly 40 athletes stepping onto the pitch, ready to give it their all to earn a spot on the team. The competition this year is fierce, but so is the determination, as players push themselves further and further each training.
Once tryouts conclude, the selected athletes will be split into two teams - the junior team, coached by Mr Collis-Handford, Mr Roeth, and Ms Beshizi, and the seniors coached by Mr Barrett and Ms Fougner. Within these teams, the players will shift their focus from individual performance to that of teamwork. Practices will transition into a time to learn and grow together, forging a squad that is a cohesive unit, ready to take on the season ahead. Mr Barrett, the Senior Girls Soccer Coach commented, “We are looking forward to the competitive season, and the group is very keen to get going and has already spent time in the second term preparing for all that is to come.”
The work, however, is just beginning. Every Tuesday, every Thursday, every Saturday, the team will take to the turf. Every drill, every sprint, every scrimmage will be another step toward getting better. Every pass, every tackle, every shot will bring us closer to our goal of reaching provincials. The weeks ahead will be filled with rigorous trainings, drills, and practice games as we prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. Addison C, Allard ‘25 explains that “With each and every session, the team will hone its skills, build chemistry with one another, and develop the resilience needed to take the competition by storm.”
But training alone isn’t enough. The road to provincials demands resilience, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the sport. But no player will face it alone. This team is more than just a group of girls - it’s a family. We push each other, support each other, and hold each other accountable: “Our success is not dependent on skill alone, but rather it’s about trust and determination. Though what makes us truly special is that we lift each other up on and off the field,” stated Fiona C, Hope ‘26. With the season just beginning, we’re ready to take on every challenge together, knowing that if we stand together and work hard enough, anything is possible.
Pearl N, Hope ‘25