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Editors Note – Journalism 1 and Avonews Online staff member Kayla Geouque wrote this editorial early in the team’s WPIAL run. On the day where the whole school gathered out in the rain to cheer them on towards Hershey and a possible state championship, we’re posting it for some more insight into the team’s chemistry.
DeRebus Co-Editor Brayden Wisniewski shoots through the rain as the high school gathers by the main entrance to cheer on the Girls Soccer team as they passed by inside the bus. The Lady Lopes defeated North Catholic three times this year — twice in the playoffs — to earn a spot in the state championship game on Friday, November 19th.
What is the difference between a good team and a great team? When I joined the Avonworth High School girl’s soccer team, I found out.
Last year, the Avonworth Girls Soccer team was a very successful and functional team. If it weren’t for Covid-19, they would’ve competed for the state championship. As a freshman, joining a successful and close team can be difficult. However, the girls and coaches made sure we were all welcomed and a part of the team.
When freshman Elena Zimmerman first started playing, she said, “I felt very welcomed. I played pickup soccer with the team in the summer before our season started, and even though I didn’t know anyone too well yet, they all helped me to get better and work on my skills!”
During preseason we all went out to Panera together, which is a team tradition and was very fun.
The freshmen were also welcomed with a surprise party. A day after preseason, the seniors came and “kidnapped” us. We were taken to a pavilion by the park and did lots of fun things with the team, including volleyball and spikeball.
Freshman Katie Petrina thought, “The kidnapping was really surprising! It was a fun night and a good way to end the freshmens’ first preseason.”
This year, we not only advanced to the playoffs, but we also beat North Catholic, the number one team in the state, to win the section championship. A big part of why our team is thriving is because we are all so close with one another and all put in our best effort during practices and games. Along with helping one another on the field, everyone is so willing to give rides and help out their teammates, which is really amazing. There aren’t too many other teams that can truly call themselves a family quite like we can.
Fiona Mahan, a freshman starter, described our team as, “Supportive, hardworking, and fun!”
One additional variable is Zimmerman’s other role at the high school — a cast member of You Can’t Take It With You, the fall play. In order to juggle both, Zimmerman is staying back on Thursday to perform in the play, driving to Hershey separately very early Friday morning, and leaving as soon as possible to make it back for Friday’s performance.
Overall, the girls high school soccer team did an excellent job of involving and welcoming the new freshmen to their successful team. To me, that’s the difference between a good team and a great team: the bond the teammates create with each other.
I love the topic, and how you highlighted why your team has been so successful! I thought the article was well done, and I liked how you made the paragraphs short and quick, keeping my attention.
Good descriptive article. Sounds like an excepting and motivational team.