After finishing 3rd in the Coastal Canyon League and making it to state finals last season, the Oak Park High School girls soccer team is ready to compete this year and hopefully keep their record.
Many of the seniors last year had a huge impact on the team and are now playing at the collegiate level.
“Coming off of a CIF finalist season, we graduated several key impact players who all play at the collegiate level,” head coach Katheryn Klamecki said. “We are looking forward to seeing players step up to fill these positions.”
This year, the girls have started building their team over the summer at conditioning. Tryouts were held in August. The varsity team has practice during their 6th period class, working together to create connections while getting better. The girls need to be comfortable playing with each other as they get to know one another.
“We want our team to be seen as a motivated, hardworking and gritty group who won’t get out worked on the pitch,” Klamecki said.
Starting the new season, there are many new additions to the team, including freshman varsity goalie Emma Schertz.
“Everyone has been nice to me and I’ve met many new people because of soccer. I hope we do well in the season because they did very well last year,” Schertz said.
Sophomore Natalie Elazary is coming up on her second varsity season, with similar hopes as Schertz.
“I am so excited for this upcoming season,” Elazary said. “I think we will be very successful and win many games with our new advanced team.”
They have all had lots of time to train and work together as a team so anticipation for their first game is exciting and nerve-racking.
“I am most excited for this upcoming season with my team and friends who are all so talented,” Elazary said. “This season will be super good because my teammates and I have been training for this moment for a very long time.”
Team connection is just as important, if not more, than pure skill.. In preseason it is important for the team to work with one another to enhance their skills.
“We do our best to build a group that trusts each other, works hard for their teammates and celebrates each other’s success,” Klamecki said.
The first game for the girl’s soccer team is on Dec. 3 with two scrimmages before then.
