The Women’s Soccer team has made huge strides, paving new paths to victory. Compared to last season, this season was night and day, with the previous year’s record being 3-10. This year was quite different with the Gators going 13-5-4. Also, this year was the first year the program had seniors, with both the seniors being captains. They made it all the way to the second round of playoffs, gathering the first playoff win in program history as well. On May 19th, they faced off versus No.3 seed, the Chapel Hill Tigers for the second round of the NCHSAA State Playoffs.

It was a competitive and intense eighty minutes. The Tigers got a goal early in the first half, putting the Gators down 0-1. Later in the first half, the Gators secured a goal after being penalized in the opposing box, evening the score to 1-1. With the score tied up at halftime, the teams knew that it could be anybody’s game at this point. Throughout the second half, it began to get even more intense and frantic. Players on both sides were fouling left and right. Within the last three minutes, the Gators were fouled close to the Tigers’ goal. The ref declared it a free-kick right outside the ‘18. The Gators stepped up, and with a right upper 90’ shot, they were able to make the score 2-1. It all relied on protecting the goal at this point; however, within the last 40 seconds, the Tigers were able to get in behind the defense and it resulted in an error in the box. They secured the penalty kick, tying the game once again. Going into overtime, the Gators knew that this would result in either the end or the advancement in the playoffs. In the first overtime, the Tigers were able to score a goal. Going into the second overtime, our Gators continued competing however conceded again, resulting in a tough 2-4 loss to the Tigers.

I interviewed senior captain, Rebecca Cody. This was her third year with the program, and she’s always been a leader both on and off the field. 

How do you think the season went overall?

I think it was really good, our team played really well together and we got better every game.

How do you feel the game went last night?

We had a lot of things that we had to overcome yesterday and I’m proud of how hard everybody worked and we left everything on the field. I love this team and I’m very proud of them and everything we have accomplished in the last three years.