As the final whistle blows, players and fans look up to the illuminated scoreboard towering over the Oyster River girls’ soccer team. It displays 0-0, in large fluorescent letters. Some girls sigh with defeat, others with relief. No goals scored, but the girls had clear perseverance, and never once gave up.
The Oyster River girls’ soccer team played Plymouth girls’ soccer on Monday, September 20th. The night lights flickered on, and the hustle began. Each shot to score slipped by the girls, each one more aggressive and determined. Their energy remained constant. Though the girls are still driven to take home the win, they refuse to put each other down at the expense of winning. Looking forward in the season, they hope to further develop cooperation and reliance on the field.
Team captain, Victoria Zlotosch (’27), talks about how the team holds each other accountable to be the best versions of themselves. Zlotosch explains, “We push each other every day to be better.” A mental goal during their game against Plymouth was to maintain static positivity. They played to lift each other up and build off triumphant moments. The girls look to carry this along for the rest of the season and to look at each other for support and motivation.
The players explain that throughout the game, they focused on maintaining mental and physical toughness. Defender Charlotte VanCamp (’29) says, “I thought we were all communicating really well, and I thought our passing was a lot better. We were trying to be more positive towards everyone on the field.” They use each game as an opportunity to improve and grow alongside each other.
The girls learn from their game against Plymouth, and many more difficult games to come, how to play as one unified team rather than individuals. Looking forward, they are driven by grit and motivation to keep fighting, even when the score ends with 0-0. They look to score more goals, but they also do not let that undermine the importance of team chemistry. Junior player Stella Elsemore (28’) states, “putting a ball in the back of the net isn’t as important as lifting your teammates up.”
In a game of chances and unknowns, focusing on mental toughness is proven to be important for a successful season. All it can take is a player on the field to encourage others, raise their spirits, and influence them to play their best. Katie Robinson (’28) has been a staple for the girls’ soccer team since her freshman year. She takes on a leadership position on the field and believes in her teammates with passion. She says, “I think for us there’s two things we can control when we’re on the field, and that’s our attitude and our effort.” She plays with determination and drives herself and others to reach their fullest potential. Her and her teammates have high standards and expectations for this season. “This season is definitely not going to be easy, but I think we’re ready for the challenge. I think this is a hungry team, and we want to prove something,” says Robinson.
The girls’ soccer team fights as a team. They lose together, win together, and most importantly play together. Team morale and community are pushing them to their fullest, and they play with intense grit. The girls have already demonstrated their exciting play and abilities. But there is more to come, and their season has just started. For them, each new game brings another opportunity to play, improve, and grow alongside teammates.
With optimism and determination, the girls will continue their season at an away game against Coe Brown Northwood Academy on Friday, September 25th.
-Audrey Gompert
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