On Friday, April 4, the Wildcats lost to the QO Cougars 16-6 in a tough and long game. Later in that week the Cats beat Rockville High School 16-4. Rain throughout the hours leading up to both the QO game and Rockville game left the fields wet, leaving teams to battle through hazardous and slippery conditions.
After earlier in the week, thunderstorms postponed the Cats game against BCC, WJ needed to switch their focus from BCC to the Cougars quickly. With QO being a strong team, working hard during practice to prepare for this week and getting ready to keep their undefeated season was a tough challenge.
“We expected QO to be very quick and outrun us a lot, and they proved to be a very athletic team,” sophomore Julia Zucconi said.
QO came right out the draw ready the attack on offense. The Cougars quickly racked up their scores from 0-0, to 1-0 and then 2-0 in the first after winning many of the early draws and maintaining possession after each goal. The Cats tried to strike back and gain momentum from a goal by senior captain Ginger Fishberg. However, the Cougars would not let them pile on their score and increased the lead to 6-1 by the end of the first quarter.
“After the first quarter I think we tried to work together to slow them down during their possessions as well as trying to take better care of the ball when we did have it,” junior Annie Linkie said.
Starting to win some more draws and play more efficient offense, the Cats scored two early goals in the second quarter by Zucconi and Fishberg to cut QO’s lead down to 3. Once again, the Cat’s had a hard time keeping up the scoring and had a hard time stopping QO on defense. The Cougars ended the first half with a seven-goal run to put the score at 13-3.
“QO didn’t give us any room to breathe or build confidence,” freshman Alina Macdermott said, “they played with intensity from the very start and didn’t let up, they were aggressive and consistent pressure made it hard for us to find any rhythm or spark, and as the game went on it made us more timid and less sure of ourselves,”
Out of halftime, the Cats looked to save this game and make a wild comeback. They showed more energy coming onto the field and were ready to take on QO. However, the Cougars got back to work, shutting down the Cat’s offense and scoring another goal. The Cats fought back with a goal by junior Annie Linkie, but once again, the Cougars answered, ending the 3rd quarter 16-4.
Wanting to prove themselves, the Cats fought back to save the score. Goals from both Zucconi and Fishberg cut the lead to 10, but it was too much of a lead to come back any further within the 4th quarter, ending 16-6.
“We know we’re capable of more, and this showed us where we need to improve, especially when it comes to handling pressure and staying confident,” Macdermott said. “This week we’ll focus on sharpening our execution and building that inner toughness so we can come back stronger and more aggressive in our upcoming games,”
Wanting to redeem themselves and move on from their loss against QO, the Cats were ready to play against Rockville. Just as the Cats were ready, so were the Rams, coming out quick and scoring the first goal off the starting whistle. Not wanting to recreate the QO game the Cats woke up quickly tallying up their own goals and going into the 2nd quarter leading, 4-2.
A similar 2nd quarter for both sides kept the score close going into halftime. Goals from senior Carly Hangliter, Booth and Fishberg, increased the lead by 5, however the Rams scored as well and ended the first half 7-3.
“We were winning and we were confident in working together on the field,” Linkie said.
Wanting to finish off the Rams and this game the Cats continued their rampage of goals into the second half. After a goal by sophomore Mira Mann to get them going the Cats increased their lead to 13-4 by the end of the 3rd quarter. More 8-meter free position shots that led to goals by players like Macdermott the Cats ended the game strong, 16-4.
The Cats’ next game is tonight as they take on Paint Branch HS. The Panthers come into the matchup with a 2-4 record on the season and are looking to end their three-game losing streak. The game starts at 7 p.m., wrapping up the first half of the season as the team takes a 10-day break from play following the game.
