With five wins in its first seven games, Girls Varsity Soccer is poised for a winning season. Although the team lost a number of Seniors who contributed to their run in the New England tournament last season, the team is finding success with a younger group. Co-captain Amber Bretz ’23 said, “I am so proud to see how many of the younger and lower classmen have stepped up on the field.”

The team had an impressive performance in its home opener on September 10, beating Kent 5-1. Another dominating win for the team came against Millbrook, with a final score of 10-1.

After making the New England tournament last year, the team is motivated this season to continue building off of their prior successes and will look to prove themselves as a team against stronger competition. Bretz says her goal for the team “is to go as far as we can and try to make the playoffs, even with a young team.”

Head Coach Christy Cooper’s goal for the team is to develop a strong team culture. She believes “a team that loves and cares about each other will play better soccer.” Having fun and upholding team culture have been important parts of the team’s early success. Regarding the group of girls she has this season, Coach Cooper said, “They’re a great group and I’m glad we have kids from Prep to Senior. They seem to certainly have a lot of fun together, there’s a lot of giggling everyday, a lot of chatter, and they work hard and compete really hard.”

Traditions unite the team. One particularly notable tradition, to any spectator at least, is the team’s custom of holding hands at the end of every game and leaving the field together. The use of pregame traditions helps the team build confidence and energy before their games. One such pregame ritual for the team is listening to music together in the locker room.

As for the rest of the schedule, Coach Cooper said, “We really have to keep that ball rolling because… our season gets tougher as it goes.” Coach Cooper anticipates the most challenging games this season will come against Westminster, Choate, Loomis Chaffee, Miss Porter’s, and Worcester Academy.

These games will be a proving ground for the young group and will also serve as an indication of whether the team is ready for stronger competition in playoffs.