Doing it for kicks: girls soccer
Girls soccer makes it to post season
The girls soccer team went through post season with an undefeated preseason and regular season.
“This has been such a fun season,” sophomore Kallie Mckinney said. “It’s such a great group of girls and we all get along really great. This translates onto the field and so over the course of the season we have gotten really good at working together to move the ball. Our best goals have been generated from great passing and teamwork. The most memorable moment was winning regionals. The competition was really tough, and we had to be at our best to earn the biggest win of the season so far.”
Last season, the team made it to district semifinals, where their season ended. Junior Quinn Ryan said she hoped that they would advance farther this year.
“Going into the season we all knew that we had one of the strongest teams we’ve had yet,” Ryan said. “My expectations for us were just to make it past where we had made it last year and we have exceeded that. We are currently in the finals to get into States and I’m very happy and proud of where we’ve gotten ourselves.”
The girls welcomed two freshmen, Summer Martin and Tatum Tishler, to the team this year.
“It’s been a really good experience this year,” freshman Summer Martin said. “I’ve met and talked to a lot of girls that I otherwise would have never gotten the chance to meet. Upper and underclassman get along really well, and everyone is super sweet to one another as well.”
Team captain and senior Gigi Borchard says she speaks for the team when issues or problems occur and relays the message to their coach.
“We all have a strong bond and that’s helped us because there’s nothing more important than trust in your teammates in a game,” Borchard said. “I had to step up this year because I’ve seen how all the other past senior captains were and I wanted to be just as amazing as them.”
For the eight seniors on the team, this season is their last with Plant.
“This season has meant everything to me,” Borchard said. “I’ve been playing soccer since I was four years old and I’m not playing in college. Whenever this season ends, so does everything I’ve worked towards since I was four and I’m so happy we’ve done so well.”
Senior Ally Bonilla tore her ACL early in the season causing her to sit out for the much of the regular season and post season. Junior Sydney Daux also tore her ACL early in the season.
“I don’t think my injury has affected my team that much as far as performance, they are killing it right now,” Bonilla said. “It sucks that I’m missing out on actually playing but I still try to be part of the team by supporting them on and off the field. I have some of my best friends playing so I always want to be a cheerleader for them.”
After a 20-0-2 preseason and regular season record, the team went to districts where they won all of their district games, giving them a record of 5-0. This caused them to advance farther into their post season, sending them to state semifinals, where their season ended.
“This journey has certainly proven to be challenging yet rewarding which has allowed us to dream bigger,” coach Alex Venegas said. “I have been fortunate to have gone through this journey with an incredible group of people. Having the support of such a great team, including the trainers, athletic director, principal and the amazing parents. Everybody has played such a vital part in this journey.”
