Varsity Girls Soccer defeated Notre Dame High School 3-1 on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The Matadors and NDHS fought at a standstill for the beginning of the game. Both teams’ goalkeepers were consistently blocking shots, ending the first half with a score of 0-0. However, freshman and wing-back Grace Schweigert opened the second half of the game with a goal six minutes in, foreshadowing the quick succession of goals by the Matadors later in the game.
Schweigert acknowledged that though the initial stalemate was frustrating, disjointed teamwork was not the problem. Schweigert notes that the team emphasizes communication and coordination in team practices so that during the game, players can communicate more effectively and are less likely to struggle when first settling into the game.
“If you’re in defense and everyone’s pressing you, you need to clear the ball out early, or open up so you can pass to other people,” Schweigert said. “You don’t want to give a slow ball. You just want to set up your teammate for success, because one bad pass and then there’s a whole string. It’s really all about just helping your teammate make a better play so our team can do better together.”
Junior and goalkeeper Elektra Masegian highlights the importance of practice to the team, especially with so many new players joining this year. Even during halftime, she stays active and alert by practicing saving and blocking as a goalkeeper with Assistant Coach Tibor Polgar. Masegian pointed out that her mindset regarding improvement was an essential part of doing well in games.
“Hammer it down,” Masegian said. “Keep showing up every single day. Work at it. With guidance, of course, because if you just work at it, you might be working the wrong way and getting worse. But just keep showing up. Don’t give in to that little voice in your head that says ‘you messed it up’, or ‘you’re not good enough’ or ‘that’s enough’. It’s wrong.
