-
Focusing ahead, Isabella Keckler ’27 prepares to kick the ball to evade the incoming opponent. Warrior offense had to utilize footwork to move past the defense set up by the Mavericks.
-
With eyes on the ball, Antara Save ’29 dribbles it down the field, keeping it out of reach of her incoming opponents. Westwood consistently kept the ball in possession throughout the game.
-
Intently focused, Elizabeth Kirwin ’29 hustles to keep the ball away from her defenders. McNeil applied steady pressure against the Warriors for the majority of the second half of the game.
-
In steady pursuit, Gabriela Vaamonde Salazar ’29 focuses as she dribbles the ball away from her defender. Westwood’s win was secured through strong technique.
Starting off their season with the first district game, the JV girls soccer team faced off against McNeil on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at the Warrior Bowl. Despite an intense game and chilly weather, the Warriors demonstrated excellent drive and emerged victorious with a winning score of 2-0.
“Going into the game, I was really excited to see how we were going to play for our first game [of the season],” Bri Allid ‘27 said. “We’ve had a couple games before this for pre-season, and we’ve been looking really good.”
Right from the start, the Warriors pushed the ball to the opponent’s half, holding possession and making quick passes. However, McNeil put up a strong defensive front, pushing the Warriors to gain an upper hand through technique and communication. The Warriors secured their first goal early on in the game with a quick attack against McNeil defense by Elizabeth Kirwin ‘29.
“[This game], I felt that we were really strong in dribbling, making crosses from the ball, and getting the ball and keeping it in possession,” Gabriela Vaamonde Salazar ‘29 said.
Keeping the hustle that they showcased in the first half, the Warriors emerged from halftime energized. The Mavericks seemed to match the sentiment in an attempt to get even. The Mavericks initially took possession in the Warriors’ half. The Warriors showcased strong defense, with a masterful save by Allid.
“One of our strengths in this game was combining through the middle,” Antara Save ‘29 said.
For the majority of the second half, both teams seemed matched with equal aggression and pursuit of the ball. The Mavericks were steadily applying pressure, disabling the Warriors from scoring. However, the Warriors’ communication shone through towards the end. The team consistently made quick, short passes in the central areas of the field to break down the opposition’s defense. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Warriors shot and scored, bringing the final score to 2-0.
“The game definitely met my expectations. We all played so well and we’ve all learned so much the past few months,” Allid said. I’m really excited to see what the rest of the season has to bring.”
The JV girls soccer team will take on Manor Mavericks at the Warrior Bowl on Jan. 20 at 5:30 PM.
