After losing six seniors last year, many of whom started and had big impacts, girls varsity soccer entered this season having to fill some vital positions. Adding to the uncertainty is that Sherwood teams got new teams on their schedules, and girls soccer faced new competition like Richard Montgomery and Poolesville while not playing teams such as Wootton and Churchill.

As girls soccer turn their attention to the playoffs, the team already successfully answered the questions en route to a 10-2 regular season, with a strong 8-0 win against John F. Kennedy and a 9-3 win against Poolesville in the final two games. After losing a holding midfield, an attacking midfield, an outside back, and another midfielder to graduation, these starting positions have been filled by senior captain Maya Petrash, sophomore Lucy Schwam, senior Tamra Fluellen, and junior Yasmin Sheik.

After a close 2-1 loss in their season opener to Richard Montgomery, the Warriors cruised past many teams, going on a six-game winning streak before losing 3-0 to a strong Quince Orchard team. The Warriors’ defense has shown their strength, notching five shutout wins in a row. Along with the stout defense, the girls have outscored their opponents 50-11 during the regular season. Notable games include a 9-0 win against Springbrook and a 6-0 win against Paint Branch, both of which are new additions to Sherwood’s schedule this year. They have also had strong wins against teams that they have normally faced in past seasons, including a 6-0 senior night win against Damascus as well as an earlier 1-0 win against nearby rival Magruder.

Petrash said that the team took away positives even from their two losses because they were competitive games against top-tier teams in the county, “After some close losses, it shows us that we are right there,” she said.  “One thing we need to work on is finishing. We do everything right to get to the goal but we don’t actually score, which is a problem when we play really good teams.”  Despite scoring a number of goals overall, most were tallied against weaker teams.

As region runner-ups from last year, with an electric win in the region semi-finals and a tough loss in the finals to a strong Wootton team, the Warriors look to head deeper into a playoff run this year. Petrash said they are trying to, “continue playing the way we are right now and to keep that momentum going so we have a better chance of making it to states.” The Warriors are currently sitting at second place in their region, falling short of first to a 9-1-1 Atholton team and sitting in front of a 6-5 Reservior. Petrash and the team seem optimistic about their chances of making it to the state championship. “I believe this year we can make it,” said Petrash.

For the first time ever, the Warriors reached the county championship game held at Seneca Valley on October 20. They played a strong Blair program, falling just short. At the end of regulation time, the game was scoreless. At the end of the first overtime, the game was still scoreless. With two minutes left in the second overtime, Blair scored, securing the championship win. Despite the loss, the Warriors still have a first round bye in the state tournament and are set to face off against Reservoir on October 24, at home.