After a very successful regular season, the girls’ varsity soccer team is ready for the beginning of the playoffs in which they will have a bye and play at home in their first match up. The playoffs are what the squad has been playing for this entire season.
The Cats lone loss came at the hands of the Whitman Vikings with the lone goal of the game coming with under two minutes left in overtime. The Vikings are the reigning 4A state champions and defeated the Wildcats on the way to their title last year. If both teams win their first match up, they will face each other for the fourth time in two years.
“From our first game, we learned a lot about how they play and we have some new strategies. [Their goal] was unfortunate, we felt like we were the better of the teams in the second half, we just couldn’t get any chances and I think if we play strong the whole game without mistakes, I think we can beat them.” junior midfielder/defender Katie Dutko said.
A home playoff game is very helpful for the team’s morale and is more likely to bring a higher amount of support from fans.
“It’s definitely going to be very useful because we know our field, we practice on our field and it also makes us feel more comfortable and at home,” senior captain and midfielder Vivian Vendt said.
Playoffs also bring a whole new amount of enthusiasm and urgency as one loss ends a team’s season.
“I’m just excited for the energy. Last year, we lost pretty early on and I’m looking forward to winning and hopefully winning states,” junior goalkeeper Federica Gavelli said.
Throughout the course of this season on the field, especially against many of the better teams they played, the squad has looked like one unit with every player making an impact each time they touch the field.
“My main goal as a captain is to make sure not only are we succeeding on the field but also off the field and we feel like one big family,” Vendt said.
