Girls’ varsity soccer sits atop the standings despite single loss

Junior goalie Karen Potts kicks the ball away against Richard Montgomery on Oct. 12.

Photo used with permission from TSW athletics

Junior goalie Karen Potts kicks the ball away against Richard Montgomery on Oct. 12.

Varsity girls’ soccer currently sits at a record of 9-1-1, notably with a 6-1 win against Rockville on Sept. 9, a 3-2 win against Quince Orchard on Sept. 14 and a win against Watkins Mill 6-1 on Sept. 17, a 3-0 win against Richard Montgomery on Oct. 12 and and huge 10-0 win against Paint Branch on Oct. 16. They tied 0-0 to Bethesda-Chevy Chase on Oct. 7. Their final game of the season before playoffs is Oct. 21 at Damascus. 

At the start of the season we didn’t expect how the season was going to go because some of us haven’t played together but I think we would all say that this season has been great considering we are 9-1-1.

— Helena Hansen

Senior Helena Hansen is in her second year of varsity soccer and she has seen a huge change in team morale since the start of the season. “At the start of the season we didn’t expect how the season was going to go because some of us haven’t played together but I think we would all say that this season has been great considering we are 9-1-1,” Hansen said 

Junior Goalie Karen Potts sees a view of the field that nobody else gets and that is in between the pipes. Potts has been stellar not just on the field but also on American Ninja Warrior. Potts compares the season to a course on the competition, “The start of the season is just like the start of a race, you need to get a grip and figure out a plan to conquer the season. The middle of the season is when you have finally figured out how to master the course and at the end of the season you just need to keep chugging because you know you can see the finish line but you still need to get to the finish line,” Potts said.

Head coach Chris Thompson has been more than proud of his team for their performance. The team has scored 39 goals while allowing just 11. That is a +28 goal differential, which is incredible. Thompson’s team knows the work is not done with playoffs right around the corner. Thompson said the 12 seniors have impacted the rest of the team. “They are a mentally strong and intelligent group. They keep the team focused all of the time, but keep everyone calm as well. We need our senior leadership for success,” Thompson said.

Although the seniors have been huge for them, Thompson said the crowd has also been a huge help. Each game, more and more students, staff and parents have shown up and give their support. “I know that a good crowd always helps our team and any other team perform better. I know the loud supportive crowd energizes the players,” Thompson said.

Their final game of the season before playoffs is Oct. 21 at Damascus.