Tensions ran high as the girls soccer team faced a talented PV opposition, fighting a close battle on the field before ultimately coming away with a 1-0 win. The game upped the girls in-season momentum.
The girls knew the game would be a demanding matchup, and their preparation took place both on and off the soccer field, according to senior goalkeeper and captain Sophia Smelich.
“We knew they were going to be physical and fast, and that it was going to be a really mental game,” Smelich said. “We talked a lot about keeping energy high, especially from the bench, so the field could feed off that.”
The game started with physicality and confidence from the Sea Hawks, which translated to quick passing in the midfield. They were able to move the ball forward and use their strengths to shut PV down.
“In warmups, we were bonding, playing music, and just having a good time, and I think that carried into the game,” Smelich said.
Redondo seized the lead within the first ten minutes, after a cross from sophomore winger Reagan Louis allowed junior forward Mykaela Romero to score a goal.
“Reagan made this beautiful run down the line and was able to get a cross in the air to me. I saw an opening and went for a header,” Romero said. “That was definitely a big thing in the first half, and it set us up really well for the rest of the game, because it ended up being the only goal.”
After taking the lead, the Sea Hawks kept up their relentless press, continuing to capitalize on the spaces PV left in both the midfield and the sidelines. Consistently sending long passes from the back half of the field allowed them to utilize their speed to perform overlapping runs that broke through PV’s defense.
“In the first half, even when I was on the bench, we had some really good combinations down the right side of the girls with Mackenzie Baird, and the midfielders. We were working really well on the right side,” Smelich said.
After closing out the first half with a marginal one-goal lead, the girls looked to the second half in an attempt to increase it and continue to shut PV down on defense.
“We definitely wanted to extend the lead, but the focus [for me] was really just on keeping a clean sheet and not letting them score,” Smelich said. “Even though we didn’t score again, I think we had some great opportunities.”
Keeping the game organized was a big part of staying ahead, and the team relied on communication from the defense as it traveled up the field.
“My role [as goalkeeper] is a lot of communication. Moving people around, making sure everyone’s marked up, and organizing on set pieces,” Smelich said. “I also try to keep positive energy up, because in games like that it’s really hard for everyone to stay positive when they’re so focused and in their heads.”
Towards the end of the game, the Sea Hawks’ intense energy began to catch up to them, and fatigue began to set in, visible through PV’s increased number of opportunities on goal. However, the girls were able to keep pushing until the final whistle blew.
“We all encourage each other to keep pushing our hardest, and even on the bench, all the girls are cheering each other on and supporting one another, so I think it’s just collectively us all giving each other positive energy the whole time to work 110% and push harder,” Romero said.
As their season wears on, wins like this only add to the girls’ confidence and keep up their determination to work hard.
“It feels really good, and we’re very excited about this opportunity, but it definitely doesn’t mean that we’re gonna settle in and get comfortable,” Romero said. “We know this just means that we have to keep working to stay on top.”
