The girls’ soccer team has been hit hard with injuries to their key players since the beginning of the season, and as a result, they have been unable to pick up their momentum. Through eight league games, the team holds a league record of 1-7, with their most recent game as a 1-0 loss to Palo Alto. Their only win came against Los Altos on Jan.13.

The team lost junior center forward Leila Chaudry and sophomore outside back Emma Foley to ACL tears, and junior Cynthia Zhang to recurring concussions. Despite these key injuries, junior forward Charlotte Shewchuk hopes the team can keep up their good energy to finish on a positive note.

“I think the last few games are very winnable because all of us get along really well and have learned each other’s playing styles,” Shewchuk said. 

Still on the schedule were away against Homestead on Feb 12, at home vs Mountain View on Feb 14 for their senior night, and away at Los Altos on Feb 19

As the girls finish the remainder of the season, they are also striving to make their team chemistry as strong as possible, especially for new players on the team. Midfielder Gabbie Golko, the only freshman on the team, says that the team has been helpful to her.

“It’s difficult being younger because everyone is bigger and stronger, and it takes a lot of work to keep up,” Golko said. “But the team has been super encouraging and kind, and I’ve been able to talk to a lot of new people.”

To keep team morale high, the injured players still sit with the team during games and cheer them on.

Along with the support of injured players and the chemistry the girls share, the team has altered their tactical approach.

Because the team has struggled to score goals, head coach Ben Maxwell has moved five players to the defensive line in order to prioritize defensive play instead.  

As the season ends, the team remains optimistic about the concluding games of the season. With their newfound abilities to accommodate missing players and to work together, the team hopes to conquer their last few games. 

“Our hope for the end of the season is to keep our energy high and win our last few games,” Shewchuk said. 

Due to printing deadlines we were not able to cover the Feb 12 game against Homestead.