From the first days of preseason training to the final whistle of the year, the Fresno Christian girls soccer team built a season that will be remembered not just for the wins but for the culture and togetherness that carried them through every moment. Another Valley title and a strong run to the NorCal regional semifinals marked the end of the season. Resilience, unity, and a commitment to playing for something bigger than themselves defines the 2025-’26 season.
This year’s team was built around strong leadership, underclassmen talent and a shared belief that every player on the roster had an important role to play. The Eagles approached every match with intensity and discipline, understanding that success would come from collective effort rather than individual performances. Game after game, they showed that when they trusted one another and played as a unit, they were capable of competing with anyone.
For any successful team, leadership provides the foundation. Fresno Christian’s captains: senior Meghan Connolly, and juniors Hailey Higton and Jane Higton helped establish expectations of hard work, energy, effort and camaraderie for the season.
Connolly helps lead by consistently showing what it means to compete with focus and determination. Her performances on the field throughout the year reflected not only her individual development but also the standards the team set for itself.
“Leadership looks like leading by example, the underclassmen looking at me for guidance and showing up with an energy that will help the whole morale of the practice or game,” Connolly said. “A positive outlook is setting the tone and not worrying about if the other team is very poor or very good; but taking it as another opportunity to play another game.”
Hailey Higton, who is committed to play next season at California State University, Fresno, brought a level of energy that often set the pace for the entire squad in practice or high-intensity gameplay. The team fed off her intensity and competitive spirit. That kind of energy helped push the Eagles forward during moments where momentum mattered most.
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Jane Higton, ‘27, emphasizes the relationships within the team. The bond between players became one of the defining features of the Eagles’ success. Teammates relied on one another not only for support on the field but also for encouragement and trust off it.
“Our tight-knit group definitely contributed to our success because we were able to come together as a team and fight for each other while also enjoying playing with our best friends,” Higton said. “As a captain, it was definitely my job to step up as a leader.”
Together, these three captains helped guide a group that valued teamwork above everything else.
Head Coach Matt Markarian views the tone set by the captains as essential pieces of the program’s continued success.
“They are uniquely talented and very different from each other,” Markarian said. “Hailey with her everlasting enthusiasm and optimism, Jane with her competitive spirit and focus, and Meghan’s ability to not be shaken even in the biggest moments. Each of their personalities was imprinted all over this team, and it was fun to see.”
Throughout the season, FC demonstrated that its strength came from the entire roster. Players stepped up in different moments, filling whatever roles the team needed in order to succeed. Captains Jane and Hailey Higton could not make the season opener facing Sunnyside, which allowed the freshmen to step up, and the whole team to rally together.
Some matches required defensive discipline and composure under pressure. Others demanded creativity and endurance. In each situation, the Eagles found ways to adapt, proving that the team’s versatility and depth were key factors in their success.
“This team was exceptionally resilient,” Markarian said. “In several games, we weren’t the best team on the field. Against teams like Kerman and Sierra Pacific it was our grit and desire to not let each other down that ultimately powered us to victory.”
While the players were on the field, they were never alone. The FC community played a major role in supporting the team throughout the season. That environment gave the Eagles an extra level of motivation during important games, reminding them that they were representing more than just themselves.
The connection between the team and its supporters helped make each game feel like a shared experience. As the season progressed, several players experienced defining moments that reflected the perseverance and determination that had become the team’s identity.
Freshman Kendall Higton is a player who pulls through under pressure. In the CIF Division 4 Valley Championship, the Eagles went all the way to penalty kicks, with Higton taking the last one. Talk about pressure. She didn’t just make a penalty kick, she nailed the Valley Championship winning penalty kick.
While this year’s team created lasting memories, it also laid the groundwork for what the program hopes to accomplish in the seasons ahead.
Kate Wyatt, ‘29, experienced the season from a different perspective. As one of the younger players on the roster, she quickly found herself contributing to a team that expected a high level of effort and commitment
For Wyatt, playing alongside experienced teammates offered both a challenge and an opportunity to grow.
“It felt amazing to be part of such a successful team,” Wyatt said. “Celebrating those wins together and valleys made my first varsity season really memorable. I’m excited to keep developing and contributing even more to the team.”
Her experience demonstrates how the program continues to develop young talent, giving underclassmen the chance to learn within a competitive and supportive environment.
This year’s roster blended experience with youth, featuring eight underclassmen and nine upperclassmen. The mix allowed younger players to learn from the veterans, while the upperclassmen benefited from the energy and fresh perspective the underclassmen brought to the field.
Together, the girls’ individual stories helped shape a season that was about far more than the scoreboard. Each player contributed something unique, creating a team built on resilience, trust, and shared purpose.
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Danielle Arndt • May 11, 2026 at 11:40 pm
What a season! Great reporting, Trinity!
Tabitha Peters • Mar 26, 2026 at 3:01 pm
Congrats to the whole girls soccer team! Thank you for writing this, Trinity.