In a season that could easily have been anchored in rebuilding, the new class of girls’ soccer took a lesson from the old, striving to maintain the FCS tradition as they took to the playing field for the Division 5 soccer playoffs. Coming off of a championship season left this year’s team with a lot to live up to.

When asked about his coaching methods this year in comparison to last, head coach Robert Foshee commented that, “a little more teaching has been incorporated, but the methods have not changed.”

While Katie Jacobson, ’05, has played soccer seven years prior to this season, it was her first year on the varsity team.

“I’ve had to work hard in practice in order to live up to the team’s established success,” Jacobsen said. “Also, it has helped a lot to have good captains to look up to.”

As far as playoff situation goes, the team has taken the two seed out of 18 in Division five. They played Lindsay Feb, 15, in the first nail-biting round. The game went scoreless up until the final moment when the two teams entered into a deciding shootout, which ended when freshman Melissa Jimenez scored on the final shot attempt.

Dana Richardson, ’02, who has been on the team for three years commented that, ” My expectation for the year was to go to valley. I feel that we did our best and came very close.”
The girls played Templeton in the second round on Feb. 20. Despite having lost that game, 4-0, the coach was still pleased with the teams overall performance.

“All of the playoff teams were legitimate competitors,” Foshee said. “The whole team stuck together and played exceptionally well, and I am particularly pleased with how well our captains did this year.”

Overall the league champions have much to be proud of, as well as look forward to, considering the team’s youth. They will only be graduating two of their starters.

“I hope that when I have graduated I can pas on values such determination, sportsmanship, and Christian character to the future classes of girls’ soccer,” Richardson said.

“Next year is up to the girls.,” Foshee said. “We have a legitimate chance to go all the way, next year, especially taking into account all of the talent we have returning next season.”