After the devastating loss to Northwest deep in the playoffs last year, the team looks to come back stronger for another successful season.
Last season’s loss in the playoffs fell just shy of the girls’ run for a championship. “Last season was devastating, but we will learn from that and hopefully make it farther and win states this year,” senior defender Meredith Murdock said.
The championship won’t come easy for the girls, and they have shown that they want to be better. The girls competed against other schools around the county twice a week to get used to playing games to get into season form.
This year, nine seniors lead the team with high hopes, including senior captains Jenna Cohen, Sarah Alkon and Ali Zifrony, and head coach Liz Seligman.
The Patriots took the field on Sept. 6 in their season opener against Richard Montgomery at home and routed the Rockets 5-0. The scoring didn’t come until late in the first half then senior forward Rachel Feldman netted the first goal of the season thanks to a solid pass from Zifrony. Late in the first half, junior back and Army commit Jillian Gonzalez crossed one right to junior forward Sarah Dellapa for the second goal of the night.
In the second half, the girls did not let up on the gas. Junior forward Alex Poltorak found the back of the net with a shot that was deflected off a defender. The Rockets could not find any answers, and eventually began to make mistakes leading to another Patriots goal. Following a failed clear attempt by the Rockets, junior center back Caroline Wang scored off a volley from a Rockets defender.
Murdock finished the night off with one more goal off another cross from Gonzales, allowing Murdock to walk the ball into the net.
“In previous years, Richard Montgomery has been a tough game for us because it is the first game of the season, but we really stepped it up this year and I think we are true contenders for the state title,” Cohen said.
The Patriots squared off against rival Churchill on Sept. 13, but came up short despite playing a hard fought game. The Patriots dominated the first half with countless opportunities on goal, yet could not find the back of the net. The Bulldogs came into the second half with more intensity and broke even, giving Churchill a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs were able to hang on after back and forth opportunities, shutting out the Patriots. The girls return to the field on Sept. 20 against Poolesville.

Nic Band

Opinion Editor