After falling in the regional final against Atholton last season, girls soccer looks to bounce back this season and make a run for the regional title and beyond. While the team lost key seniors to graduation from the last season, a core of multi-year starters remained and have led the team to a current record of 9-1.

The Warriors head into the playoffs next week and look to improve themselves after falling to Atholton by a score of 1-0 in the regional final last season. “Our team goals during playoffs this year will include staying connected in each line of play and making sure we come into every game with heart knowing it could be many of our lasts,” said senior captain and forward Emma Link.

The Warriors began the season with a tough 2-1 loss to Richard Montgomery, but the disappointment may have helped raise the focus and intensity of the team as they have since won eight games straight.

“Given that our game against RM was one of our first, we have learned a lot,” said senior captain midfielder Molly Schecter. “This includes adjusting to each other’s style of play, gelling as a team, and working better together with more practice. As well as assigning players positions where they can thrive individually, and the team can as well. The team has also worked on connecting from midfield to attack. This helps us improve our transition to attack.”

Sherwood bounced back with a win against Gaithersburg, as well as a nailbiter 1-0 road win against their rival Magruder which got the momentum rolling for the team against Blake with a 8-1 win. This win earned the team back-to-back 3A division titles and improved their win streak to five wins in a row.

The game against Quince Orchard on October 7 was the ultimate test for the team, as Sherwood had spent the last 10 seasons taking losses from Quince Orchard but this time the Warriors were ready to go out and flip the narrative. They blitzed to an early 3-0 lead in the first half but in the second half the Cougars fought back, tying the game 3-3. With the game in overtime, the Warriors pulled out a thrilling 4-3 double overtime victory off a free kick goal by Link.

“Our team learned that we need to stay on top of it even when we are in the lead because we never know how the other team will come out into the second half,” said Link.

“The biggest takeaway from this QO game is our chemistry and ability to stay calm,” added Schecter.

 Girls varsity continued to roll after the historic victory over QO, with an 8-1 victory against Damascus. The Warriors play their final game of the regular season against Poolesville on October 23. Assuming they win that match, the Warriors will qualify for the county championship, and bounce into the playoffs loaded with confidence and a hunger to go further than the last two years.

“Another goal is to go far in [the] playoffs, as always,” said Schecter. “However, I think this year, more than in the past, we have more confidence. Knowing we beat a team like QO, we can take on anyone.”