Girls’ Soccer Ends Losing Streak
Big Red girls’ soccer took out the competition this past weekend as it came away from its game at Milton Academy with a 1-0 win. The last few games have been tough for the team, who came to Milton with back-to-back losses, making this win that much sweeter. Through teamwork and dedication, the girls staved off their competitor, overpowering the opposing goalie and securing the victory.
The team came together in an impressive way, stopping Milton from making any significant attacks.
Upper Hannah Gustafson praised the defense in particular. “Our defense was really good, allowing us to keep a clean sheet for the game,” Gustafson said.
Upper Veronica Galimberti agreed with Gustafson and called Saturday’s game “one of the most resilient games of the season so far. It wasn’t easy keeping up with the stamina and intensity of Milton, but we managed to stand our ground for the entire game,” Galimberti said.
The athletes did a good job of cooperating as a team, but at some points during the game lost track of the common goal. “Our passing and communication definitely could have been better,” Gustafson said. “Improvement upon both of these aspects would have led to fewer mistakes in our defensive third.”
“[It was] one of the most resilient games of the season so far. It wasn’t easy keeping up with the stamina and intensity of Milton, but we managed to stand our ground for the entire game.”
While the girls have been working hard in practice, improved communication skills can come only through time on the field. Hopefully, as the season goes on, the team can create stronger chemistry both on and off the field.
The girls played well throughout the full ninety minutes, but the match was not without its low points. The team faced the challenge of overconfidence in the second half and had to be careful not to get cocky toward the end of the game.
“The hardest moment of the game was definitely staying mentally focused in the last couple minutes when we were winning,” Gustafson said. Luckily, the girls stayed on their toes and kept their opponents at bay.
This focus has also been present during the girls’ practices over the last two weeks. Under the watchful gaze of their coaches, the girls have been practicing hard and long in preparation for this game. “Practice has been productive lately due to the fact that we have been focused for the entire two hours,” Gustafson said. Clearly that concentration paid dividends for the girls, and hopefully they will continue to have such fruitful practices.
While every team member played well on Saturday, upper Veronica Galimberti shined in goal by keeping the other team scoreless and maintaining a clean sheet for the duration of the match. “Veronica Galimberti, once again, came in very clutch on a couple saves toward the end of the game,” Gustafson said. “She saved some of their game tying goals in the last ten minutes to help lead us toward the win.”
This victory has the potential to jumpstart the girls’ season after their recent losing streak. If they can take their focus and hard work into their next game, the girls have a good shot at success.
Galimberti hopes that the girls can improve their record over the course of the season and come together as a team. “My hopes for this season are to keep up our momentum from last game and keep progressing as a team,” Galimberti said. “It’s really amazing watching the team string together passes and score as a collective effort.”
Big Red’s next game is home against Northfield Mount Hermon at 2:00.