PVHS varsity girls soccer working harder than ever to make it back to playoffs
The Palos Verdes High School’s Varsity Girls Soccer team has overcome a string of injuries to an overall record of 5-7-1 and a league record of 1-2.
The girls have four senior captains: Kelly McCann, Dana Connors, Monika Buechs, and Madison Murray. Unfortunately, three of the captains are injured, with the only healthy captain being Madison Murray.
“Injuries have heavily affected our team because a lot of our key players are hurt,” said senior captain Kelly McCann. With five injured seniors, the girls have not been able to achieve their full potential. However, the girls are keeping their spirits high and staying optimistic.
“At this point, there’s nowhere to go but up,” continued McCann.
In addition to dealing with injuries, the girls have had to work extra hard to make up for losing many of last year’s talented seniors.
“[We] came in to our season losing a lot of key players from last year. We still have a lot of talent, but the injuries have affected us,” said McCann.
Despite the many setbacks, the girls dominated Leuzinger with a 10-0 win January 10, but came up short in two close games, losing to Peninsula by two goals and to Redondo by one goal.
With the loss of their experienced seniors, the girls are looking to progress with a few key players: freshman Vanessa Henderson, goalie Traci Hirokawa, and senior captain Madison Murray
According to McCann, “[Murray] plays outside defense and has a really great cross. She’s also a really good leader on the field.”
“Traci came up from JV and saved us [because] we needed a goalie,” added captain Monika Buechs.
The girls played Leuzinger on January 27 and came out with a strong win, scoring five goals and keeping Leuzinger to zero.
“We have definitely improved from the beginning of the season. We are meshing really well, but I think we can improve [our] team chemistry to help us even more,” said McCann.
The girls have two big games coming up against cross-town rivals Peninsula and the Redondo Union Sea Hawks. The team has been practicing hard to improve even more and prepare for these re-matches.
“We can really improve by creating more chances to score,” stated captain Dana Connors.
To make it back to the playoffs, the girls will have to win the rest of their matches in league. With their last three games against Redondo, Peninsula, and Mira Costa, the girls; road back to playoffs will be tough. Even though it is a tall order, the girls believe that they have the tenacity to pull it off.
“I think we can make it to the playoffs. We’ll need to work hard for it, but I think it’s possible,” said Connors.