By Maddie McComb

The spring girls soccer season started in the middle of February, and after tryouts, Collegiate’s varsity team ended up with 27 players, including six Seniors, nine Juniors, four Sophomores, six Freshmen, and two 8th Graders.

On March 19, the Cougars faced their first game against Deep Run High School, which was a 0-1 loss. Two days later, Collegiate traveled to Western Albemarle High School, which also resulted in a 1-3 loss. In a series of interviews with team members, co-captain Kenley Campbell (’24) commented on how “we have had a rough start playing big public schools, but we are ready to face the private league schools.”

Campbell said, “the team has a lot of young talent of all ages.” Gabriela Linkonis (’25), a returning Junior on the team, commented on how the team has “skilled, hardworking younger kids.” As there are many new, first-year varsity players, Olivia D’Ambrosia (’24) commented on how the team is very different from last year, and how “it is very fun to play with the new girls.”

As the team includes 10 underclassmen and two 8th Graders, Campbell’s goal for the season is “to create a culture that blends the grades together.” Throughout the season, Campbell hopes to create team breakfasts and dinners to bond and unite the team. Before their first game, the team took a trip to Ray’s Italian Ice, an annual tradition. Linkonis said, “Ray’s successfully brings the team together at the beginning of the season.”

Campbell thinks that the team has a chance of winning LIS and States and hopes to do just that. The team is currently 6-2, and their next home game is against St. Gertrude High School on Monday, April 15 at 4:30 p.m. on Robins Campus. Make sure to come out and watch the team this season!

All photos by Jonathan Campbell.