Finishing the 2022 soccer season with a 0-1 loss to the undefeated Jesuit Crusaders in the OSAA 6A State final, womens soccer is back at it again, starting their fall season 4-1-1. Four of those games ended in a complete shutout.

The 2023 season began with tryouts in late summer. After the seniors graduated, the team lost seven players, three of which were captains. This left new players to step up and lead the team. 

Kate Cheldelin, senior, is looking forward to the season as a second time captain and leader. While playing outside back for her club team, Cheldelin leads from the 10 spot for the team. 

“I honestly like playing wherever I work,” Cheldelin said. “I enjoy switching it up. It feels nice being on the offensive side.”

Cheldelin believes everyone is properly stepping into their roles on the field as the season progresses. 

“[Leading] has been really cool. I’ve been trying to lead more, and so it’s been an adjustment period,” Cheldelin said. “But I’ve grown a lot as a leader in soccer.”

Janina Kraetschmer, senior, previously switched from playing up at the midfield position to center defense. After the spot needed to be filled, Kraetshmer was happy to step up into the needed role, only to love playing back much more. 

“I played midfield almost my whole life until two years ago,” Kraetschmer said. “My coach put me there because our center defender got hurt. I tried it out and I loved it. Definitely the best decision I’ve ever made.”

With an addition of four freshmen to the team, Kraetshmer wants to advance to another championship. However, the new publicity from the 2022 season creates pressure.

“This year there are a lot of eyes, and people looking at how we play,” Kraetschmer said. “So there’s a lot of pressure, but it’s good. It pushes us to play hard. We know that we have to show who we are, and it’s not going to be easy.”

After a second-place finish to last year’s soccer season, there are expectations that are wanted to be met by the second time captain.

“Last year we were kind of an underdog, and no one really thought we would go far,” Cheldelin said. “I definitely feel the pressure, but I think it’s a good sense of pressure, and it just means that we have to continue to work hard everyday in practice, and games.”

The two coaches for the team have been pivotal to some of the players. Madison Gellos, head coach, has watched some of the varsity players grow to the players and people they are now, helping guide the way for the incoming future.

“​​The coaching staff is extremely loving, and they care about us as individuals as well, which helps a lot,” Kraetschmer said. “They push us to be the best players we can be, and the best people we can be, on and off the field.”

Outside of soccer, the team tries to do as many team events as possible to get them bonded over the year. In school, spirit-outs are an important aspect of team culture, making it a fun way to prepare for games.

“Honestly [soccer season] is my favorite time of the year, because not only do you get to go work hard and represent your school and community, but off the field you get to plan stuff by leading,” Cheldelin said. “I really love every part of it.”

The womens soccer team is currently ranked seventeenth in the state for 6A girls soccer, with a roster ranging from freshman to seniors. Starting next Tuesday, the womens soccer team will face Cleveland at home, and it will look to show their impact in the coming weeks gearing up for the playoffs.