Despite twelve injuries on the girl’s soccer team, fifth-year head coach Eric Morgan remains optimistic with plans to still place number two in the Western Reserve Conference.

“Our biggest goal as a team is to do good at the Conference against Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Ravenna, and Barberton,” Morgan said.

Starting out in the first-half, the team allows themselves to be defeated, but in the second-half the team is defiant.

“We’re not mentally prepared or focused and not ready to work together until the second-half,” junior Lisa Stoddard said.

This trend of weak starts and strong finishes is not unfamiliar to this team. According to Morgan, the team has a goal called “playing all 80 minutes” which is to play the whole game and not just the second-half.

Team strengths include upperclassmen experience, cooperation, good communication, and mixing competition with fun.

“I’m really proud of all the girls and what a great job they do in leadership and camaraderie that I haven’t seen in years,” Morgan said.

“The team gets along really well and we’re one big happy family,” sophomore Jessica Hollinger said.

The team’s weaknesses include not taking enough shots, lack of speed, and recurrent injuries.

“The girls were probably mentally prepared to play soccer, but not physically prepared and that’s why there is so many injuries,” said trainer Toby Jurging.

Injuries include swollen ankles, broken toes, aching knees, and pulled muscles. Due to the injuries, many of the JV girls have been pulled up to play for varsity, which is another weakness. However, the team hopes the season will end on a positive note.

“This is the first year we’re actually getting along as a team and we’re definitely more dedicated,” junior Brittany DeLuke said.

As of September , the team’s record is . The team’s key rivals such as Stow, Hudson, and Ravenna are coming up.

“Once we gel together, the team will be okay,” junior Alyssa Janoso said.

“We have what it takes and we’re all out there to have fun, compete, and keep our heads up,” sophomore Heather Siciliano said.