Girls’ varsity soccer team hits its stride in the winter season

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by Armani Brutus

Following a strong last season, the girls’ Varsity soccer team wants to continue from their previous record of 7-3-2 from the 2020-2021 winter season. Moving onwards with their current season with a 6-3 record, there are many potential challenges awaiting the Lady Bobcats.

Concluding their 2020-2021 season with becoming district champions, the girls are looking for an even better season despite having a young team for their 2021-2022 campaign. The loss of seniors is not holding them back in the slightest as they still continue to march forward during their winter season.

“Probably just to have a winning season. There are a lot of barriers when you have to deal with graduating eight seniors and getting a lot of new players and I mean, there is a whole bunch of variables that we have no control over, namely public health but mostly to be playing games,” said Head Coach Fred Wilde. “I am a very confident coach. I feel that in West Broward we do not rebuild, we reload.”

The opening game of the season started with a resounding win over South Broward High School 8-0 with goals coming from junior Halli Scharinger 2 goals, freshman Ginna Sanchez 2 goals and 2 assist, sophomore Kayla Hoo-Stewart 1 goal, sophomore Isabella Rychel 2 goals and sophomore Katelyn Castellanos 1 goal and 1 assist.

“We have a bunch of new players, so there are always new things to workout. If they listen and come to practice and pay attention to detail,” Wilde said. “you see the improvements. And it is not an accident.”

In their second game against Everglades on Nov. 30, the girls would once again dominate 8-1 with goals from junior Daniela Ponce 2 goals and 1 assist, Sanchez 1 goal and 2 assist and Rychel 5 goals. Although the girls would come into the season with back-to-back wins, they would then lose their next two games. One against Cypress Bay 2-1, and the other against Pembroke Pines Charter 1-0.

“Usually Cypress Bay beats us 4 or 5-1 this year was 2-1. Usually Pines Charter beats us 3 or 4-1, this year it was 1-0,” Wilde said. “So even though we lost, they were good results. It was the best result in years. I will take it.”

Bouncing back from their two losses, the girls would face off against the Monarch Knights on Dec. 10 and would win the fight 7-0. In the first quarter, the Bobcats would score 5 goals against the Knights, and then finish them off with an additional 2 goals during the last quarter of the game. These 7 goals would come from junior Sarah Sedelsky 1 goal, junior Sydney Millwood 1 goal and 1 assist, Rychel 2 goals and 1 assist, Castellanos 1 goal, and junior Joy Jones 2 goals.

“Trying to work together is kind of a challenge because we all play differently so we are trying to connect and get together and to play well,” Rychel said.

For their final game before winter break starts, the Lady Bobcats would face off against the South Plantation Paladins on Dec. 12. The game ended with a win for West Broward 5-1, with goals from Ponce 1 goal, Millwood 1 goal, and Rychel 3 goals and 2 assists. The score would finalize the second half of the game.

“They were pressing us a lot more and there were some faster girls uptop to be able to get our defense to focus on them,” Rychel said. “I feel like we were clumped in the middle because they were pressing high and the defense was high and the forwards were high, so we had to change our formation, and get ourselves ready for their attack.”

After coming back from winter break, the girls soccer would go 2-1. They would squeak out a tough match against Fort Lauderdale 2-1 on Jan. 5. Facing Coral Springs Charter, they would go down 6-1, but rebound against Flanagan 3-2.

“Our record is now 6-3. I need healthy, committed players that will be there,” Wilde said. “If they are there and committed, then we will do ok and if they are not healthy, then having a winning season even at 6 and 3 is going to be a challenge.”

With more than half of the season ending in victories, the Varsity team still has many games before they conclude their 2021-2022 year. As the Lady Bobcats push forward in the winter season with both Districts and Regionals within their sight, there is still much to look forward to from the girls.

“I just want to keep moving forward and make connections along with friendships and just grow together as a team,” Rychel said.

A RUNNING START: Sophomore Midfielder Gianna Sanchez heads towards the goal while the Jaguars attack to defend against her. The Bobcats would lose 1-0 against Pines Charter. Photo courtesy of FoxMar.

Bobcat Attack: Sophomore forward Kayla Hoo-Stewart works her way downfield while being tracked down by a Jaguar to stop her from keeping the ball. The Lady Bobcats defense would be key in their match against Pines Charter, but would fall short 1-0. Photo courtesy of FoxMar.