On a chilly Thursday night, Jan. 23, the varsity girls’ soccer team secured a 3-1 win over West Orange in the regional quarterfinals, allowing the team to advance to semi-regional finals on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
After a rough start, junior Ru Mucherera and seniors Sydney Schilling and Kim Keenan each scored goals to ensure a lead over West Orange. Junior Nicole Mattson contributed as well to the win, allowing the opponent only one goal.
“We started out a little slow, so it made the game more difficult than it needed to be,” center-back Kiele Mohre said. “When we picked it up in the second half the game became much easier and less frantic.”
Winning districts three years in a row has boosted the team’s confidence, but just last year they were defeated by Oviedo in the semi-regional finals despite beating them three times during the regular season and in districts. Ironically, the team plays Oviedo once again in the same spot.
“We’re nervous,” said Schilling. “We don’t want to repeat history.”
Hoping to come out with the same intensity as they did when playing Oviedo in district finals, the team is determined to go farther than ever before. The desire to eventually win states has driven the team throughout the season and has contributed much to their energy and focus in the last few games.
“We’re focusing at one game at a time,” said Schilling. “The ultimate goal is to win states. However, we have to focus on one thing at a time.”