The games are just beginning, but the season has been going strong for a while now for the girl’s soccer team. Since the beginning of June, the girls have been coming to the school multiple times a week to attend open plays, do conditioning and train in the weight room. They have been preparing for what is going to be an important season ahead of them, and they are ready.
This year’s varsity team is a combination of familiar faces as well as some promising newcomers, each adding valuable qualities to the team. Freshman Stella Jones, for example, is making her debut on the team as a starting center forward. Her can-do attitude and aggressive nature is bound to propel the team through their season as other schools are surely surprised by the talent and skill of the new player entering the world of high school soccer.
“Walking onto this team, I was nervous about being the only freshman. As the season has started though, I have been welcomed warmly and have fit in easily with the team,” Jones said. “They have all been so inclusive and would do anything to help me. I am so excited to play with all of them this season and cannot wait to see what this year has in store for us as a team.”
The team has great chemistry with nine returning starting players, the team has not changed drastically from last year. The new additions to the team are doing well at the task of maintaining the level of play the team had last year, as they ended with a third-place trophy at state. Their goal this season is to do even better at the state tournament, and hopefully win it for the first time in over a decade.
One of the biggest challenges the team is facing this year is the lack of a goalkeeper. Goalkeepers are arguably one of the most important players on the field. They are the only player who can use their hands, and they have the job of being the last line of defense before the goal. Being a goalie requires having quick reflexes to effectively guard the goal as shots are fired, and bravery as soccer balls are flying their way. Last year, the only goalkeeper in the program, Katherine Southard, graduated. In response to that, a few girls have stepped up to the challenge and have volunteered to try out being a goalkeeper for the first time. Sophomores Taryn Peterman and Rylee Sherer are currently testing out their skills on varsity for the first time.
Sherer noted that, “Being a goalie for the first time was hard. Getting to know the position has been difficult as I have never played there before, but the team has helped me by always being encouraging and patient with me. I am excited to see what happens this year as I play goalie.”
Although it is a daunting task trying out a new position, and a very important one at that, they are doing well.
So far, not many games have been played, but the Mustangs made a grand debut on Aug. 24, playing Twin Falls High School and securing a win to start off their season. The rest of their schedule and game results can be found on their Instagram page @eaglehighgirlssoccer. The season is looking good for them as they continue to grow in chemistry and skill. The hard work they are putting in on and off the field should pay off as they work towards their ultimate goal: a state title.
