On May 11, the girls soccer team (8-0-1 overall, 8-0-1 Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division)* shut out South San Francisco (6-4-1 overall, 6-3 PAL Ocean Division)* 5-0 in their last scheduled home game of the season.
Before the game began, the team celebrated senior night to congratulate each senior’s accomplishments with handmade posters, flowers and snacks.
Spirits were high during the game as the team cheered each other on.
“It’s just been really fun to play as a team,” said junior defender Natalie Thacker. “We’ve scored lots of goals … [this season], … and there’s always a lot of energy on the bench.”
The Dons pressured the Warriors effectively and kept the ball near their opponents net for the majority of the game. Subbing players in and out was smooth, and everyone who came into the game played efficiently and melded well together.
Off the field, the team has been able to create a strong bond and team dynamic despite the pandemic.
“Once we were able to get back together it kind of felt like life was normal,” said senior striker Emma Hudson. “[Soccer] acts as a good escape.”
The team intends to end the season strong.
“I hope to finish this season without any [more] goals scored against us,” Thacker said.
Despite the difficulties they face, the team continues to stay positive and put forth their all.
“I think we need to [continue to] show them a lot of encouragement,” said Head Coach Michael Flynn.
The team is grateful to play together as despite all the limitations.
“I’m just so happy that … all the seniors are able to play their final year of soccer and that we were all able to get together,” Hudson said.
The team would normally have a full month of practice before the official season starts, but because of this year’s late start they jumped immediately into their league games.
The team has had to adapt to much more than a lack of a preseason. Because of pandemic safety regulations, the team has to play with masks on and train in a smaller group with fewer participants.
Additionally, this year the team has a new assistant coach, Ashley Lentz. She is an Aragon alumni from the class of 2013 who formerly played on the Aragon soccer team for four years and also played in college.
Although COVID-19 has provided many challenges, the girls soccer team has managed to deal with them well. As hopes for a normal 2021-2022 school year increase, so do hopes for normal athletics seasons.
*Records as of May 17
