With the season starting, boys and girls soccer face the pressures of the new year. Both teams being ranked high in their state and nationally after the 20-21 season, expectations are running high. The first game is at the DADS Stadium on 11/9 against Durant High School. The two teams will play back to back to start defending their titles.    

After an undefeated regular season and an overall record of 18-2, Plant Varsity Girls soccer heads into their 21-22 season. With high expectations after their 3-0 loss in state-semifinals against Bartram Trail last season, girls’ soccer is expected to work just as hard this year. Graduating 12 seniors at the end of last year, the new roster sets their sights on the first game.    

Starting the season committed senior, Kallie McKinney, plays her last season as a panther before heading to Rice University.    

“It’s nice knowing my hard work paid off,” senior Kallie McKinney said. “I don’t think much will change. I play because I enjoy the game and playing with the team, it’s my last year, so I’m trying to focus on playing well this year and having fun.”    

Already entered into the Hillsborough County Western Conference, ending sixth in the state last season and third in the class, all eyes are on the Lady Panthers.    

“I don’t really have many expectations; I want to take it one game at a time,” sophomore Olivia Dicus said. “I’m mostly looking forward to having fun with all the girls.”   

Ending their regular season (20-21) with a record of 5-1 and an overall record of 18-4-1, boys prepare to get to states again. Plant boys’ soccer gets ready for their first game after an unfortunate loss 1-0 to Gulf Coast in Florida State finals in an overtime battle in finals last season.   

“We have a really solid team, so the expectations are to win states,” senior Hunter Jones said.   

Starting the season with two players committed, Joe Anderson to play at Emmanuel College and Otis Wildman at Vassar College.    

“It feels great going into the season committed,” senior Otis Wildman said. “It actually takes some of the pressure off because I don’t have to worry about getting recruited anymore.”    

Nationally ranked 37th and 14th in the state, tensions are high for the boys this year. Facing off, Durant will show what they have in store for the rest of the season. Testing their new starting lineup after graduating four seniors, Plant has high hopes the boys will reach states again.    

“I’m looking forward to starting the season knowing how far we made it last year,” Jones said.