by Noah Bair ‘24

After their dominant win against Northwood on Monday, the girls varsity soccer team is now 6-2, outscoring opponents 28-7 through their first eight games. After only winning five games last year, the team has already surpassed their win total from the 2022 season. 

Captain Marley Hillman attributed this success to an increase in team chemistry compared to last season. “The main difference I believe everyone has noticed is the team dynamic,” noted Hillman. “Last year our team chemistry was not strong … However, this year we found a way to work as a team and be coherent.” 

Coach Kristina Bryn echoed the same sentiment. “I believe our success this year has a lot to do with our team’s chemistry,” said Bryn. “You can have all the talent in the world but unless you have the team companionship and the trust in one another it doesn’t necessarily matter.”

The team also has a strong group of captains that have played an integral role in the team’s success thus far. Captain Katie Roecklein emphasized that the captains play a large role in “regulating practice, making sure everyone is focused to help make it more beneficial, organizing fun team bonding activities, and making sure our team is always on our best behavior and good sportsmanship.”

While the team has been tremendously successful this season, they do face a number of tough games in the back end of their schedule. Next Monday, the team’s senior night, the Warriors will face Blake, a team that beat Sherwood last year by a score of 4-3. “Our team is a lot stronger than we were last year,” said senior and captain Josie Sego. “We are all comfortable playing with each other, and we are hungry for this Blake win.”

Then, on October 19, the team will face Quince Orchard to round out their regular season slate. It is safe to say that Quince Orchard will be one of the strongest, if not the strongest team that is on Sherwood’s schedule this year. QO is 7-0 this year and has outscored opponents 33-5 this season, the largest margin of anyone Sherwood will play this year. Coach Bryn noted that QO is a “powerhouse” and a “great team,” and that compared to last year, “this time we’re excited for competition, not anxious.”