![This New Smyrna Beach rental home, occupied by ASL teacher Kiara Campbell's friend, experienced flooding that overflowed the lake. "Usually her husband and kids can go on the outside of this [fence] and fish in that in that little pond and it almost hit where her pergola is," Campbell said. (Courtesy Kiara Campbell)](https://www.wjpitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1000009847-1200x900.jpg)
The girls’ soccer team saw their season come to a close, with a 2-1 final score at the hands of the Quince Orchard Cougars in the regional semifinals.
The Wildcats traveled to QO as the slight underdogs, since the Cougars defeated them at home in their only regular season contest with a 3-0 shutout. The second time around, the Cats made it a close game, a much closer game than earlier in the season, but it still wasn’t enough to beat a team that went 10-1 in the regular season.
“I don’t think (the QO game) went horrible, but the big thing was we couldn’t create a lot of offense. I think we came out strong and I think we were doing well, it’s just that creating opportunities on offense came a little hard,” junior midfielder Erin Carr said.
QO wouldn’t see their season last too much longer, as they would go on to lose in the region finals to Whitman 2-1. Whitman is in the midst of an undefeated season, and they have made it all the way to the state championship. They face Crofton HS on Friday, Nov 15, in a game to claim the state title.
Playing in a region full of talented teams, the Wildcats know they will have to come back next season with a renewed sense of determination.
“I’m excited for next year and I think next year we are going to states. I think all the returners are going to work really hard during the offseason, and we’re going to beat QO, Whitman and everyone,” junior attacker Haley Prindle said.
One of the biggest bright spots on the Cats is their team chemistry off the field, which plays a vital part in communication during games.
“I think from the start we had a really good team dynamic, and that really helped us throughout the season. We kept on getting a lot closer, which definitely helped us as a team,” Prindle said. “The environment was very positive and supportive, so it made it a lot more fun.”
Despite the season coming to a halt against QO, the Cats take pride in working hard throughout the season. The team improved from last season, when they lost in the first round, to this season beating B-CC in the first round of the playoffs.
“The players are very focused, and they come out ready to play, they have a high level of competitiveness. They know how to be student-athletes, they know how to focus on grades, plus on the field performance. Just a pleasure to work with kids at this particular program,” head coach Neil Gottlieb said.
