The girls soccer team is preparing for the season with the goal of repeating as Region Champions for the fifth year in a row and advancing further than last season’s Sweet Sixteen run.
The Knights have an overall record of 6-3 and a region record of 4-0 having five wins in a row beating Riverwood, Drew, Forest Park, Jackson and Mays.
“Starting the season we were missing two girls finishing the basketball season, and we have two injuries,” sophomore Ari Brownlee said. “Our start has been a little slower than usual but we are already adjusting and improving for a successful season.”
Junior and co-captain Eve Nahmias said the team is getting comfortable and is very confident that they can do well this season.
“I think although our record is off to a rocky start, we have been playing very well, especially considering all the changes and pressure lots of the girls are feeling,” Nahmias said. “I think we have a lot of potential to do just as great this year as last.”
Last season, athletic director Blair Barksdale stepped into coaching the girls soccer team and is coaching them again for the fifth year. Barksdale said she is looking for a season of successes, especially with the addition of the new assistant coach Tess Aubry.
“Coach Aubry will make a huge impact,” Barksdale said. “She played top level soccer in high school and club, then went on to continue her career in college. There is not much difference in the last couple of years, but we have a lot more depth on the bench this year. I expect those players to get a lot of playing time this season.”
Last season, the Knights finished as Region Champions and reached the Sweet Sixteen before being eliminated by eventual State Champions Greater Atlanta Christian.
“Last season we fell short in the Sweet 16 to the team that ended up winning everything,” Nahmias said. “I was really proud of our team but it was a tough loss that hopefully we have learned from and don’t repeat.
This year, the team faces the challenge of replacing key seniors and working around injuries, which totals to five lost starters. Brownlee said there is an adjustment with losing players and gaining players that may have different playing styles.
“Certain dynamics have shifted as new people are taking on different roles and that brings a range of emotions as we try to figure it out,” Brownlee said. “I think the underclassmen will continue to help fill the void left by alumni and the people who came before them. In some cases, they are being thrown into new positions and in others they are expected to perform and deliver at an even higher caliber in their dominant ones.”
Nahmias said everyone on the team is filling the gaps and doing what they need to, to make up for lost players and contribute to a strong team.
“I think individuals will and have already been stepping up to make up for the losses of our seniors,” Nahmias said. “[Senior] Tessa [Randall] has been doing very well in goal after losing Ellie [Palaian] and the rest of the team is doing well filling the gaps that may have been there. Overall, if we continue to work hard we will continue to adjust well. “
With the reshuffling of classifications and regions, the team is competing in Region 4-AAAA and will face the tough region competition of Pace Academy girls soccer who is the 24th state rank this year and was 6-1 in region last year.
“It is so early in the season, but we will increase our fitness over the next month to make sure we are ready for the heat in May for the playoffs,” Barksdale said. “Pace [Academy] in our region is going to be tough. They are a very talented team with a high level of skill work. We will have to be prepared and play our top game when we face them in region play. The month of March will determine our seeding for State Playoffs. We will take each game one at a time.”
With all of the factors this season, from injuries to different competition, the team’s goal remains the same to advance far in the state tournament like in years previous. Brownlee said she the team’s chemistry this year will allow the team to push through hard games.
“Our team has good chemistry because, for one, the team has remained consistent for a long time as many of the now seniors and juniors made varsity their freshman year so they know how to play together,” Brownlee said. “In addition, some of them even play club soccer together which gives them more opportunity to combine play styles and understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Barksdale said the Knights hope to stay undefeated in region play and advance far into the state playoffs.
“My aspirations are for this team to compete at a high level and play in a state championship,” Barksdale said.
