After allowing only one goal in the regular season, the women’s soccer team is looking to roll into playoffs with a full head of steam, following their defensive’s impressive performance throughout the regular season.
Assistant coach Davis Boyle gives the girls credit for the team’s defensive dominance but says that the state championship remains the focus. “[Allowing one goal] is a big accomplishment, but I don’t think our team will care about that statistic if we don’t win the next six games,” Boyle said.
Head coach Jason Curtis attributes the team’s success to the skill level and leadership in the backline. “We have a lot of leadership back there; Mikayla [Brenman] and Bel [Leinenweber] play outside back when we play really good teams, so our back four is really good. Three of our best technical players are in the back,” Curtis said.
Despite keeping a clean sheet in all but one of their contests, the Tigers have dropped points in two of their games, tying Cedar Ridge and losing to East Chapel Hill. These games were indicative of some struggles offensively earlier in the season. “We have struggled offensively, especially in big games,” Curtis said.
However, the women’s soccer coaching staff believes it has found a possible solution to this problem. “We moved Avery Look from center back to attacking midfield/forward. Now with her up there, it makes the opposition have to account for her pace, and we’re getting a little more polished in the attack as a team,” Curtis said.
Sophomore Look has adjusted to her new role on the team. “We’re looking for a lot more through balls now and finding more pockets in the defense. I think that I add some aggressiveness in the attacking third, too,” she said.
Senior captain Elise Ederle has embraced her leadership role at center back. “I like being one of the only seniors on the team because it means that our team is closer. I also kind of like being in charge and having control over everything,” Ederle said.
The Lady Tigers finished Big 8 conference play with a 13-1-1 record, winning the Big 8 for a third straight year.
Due to recurring bad weather and the absence of a home field, the Tigers played just one non-conference game at the beginning of the season, which they won.
Curtis praised his team for being able to overcome these early-season challenges. “I feel bad for our two seniors because they won’t be able to have senior night on their field that they played on for three years. They’ve really handled it well, and I’m really proud of their ability to just go out and play.”
The Lady Tigers will play their first playoff game on Wednesday at 7:00 in the Chapel Hill High School Football stadium.
