Week #35: Fight to the Finish: Varsity Girls Soccer Gives it Their All!

Varsity Girls Soccer - There was Nieve's game-winning laser beam against RMA, one of the most beautiful goals you'll ever see, breaking a 1-1 tie late in the game and clinching the victory for Tandem. That shot was her second game winning goal in as many games! There was Ruthie's hat trick on the road at Quantico, including a goal that was perfectly placed into the top corner - impossible for the goalie - or any goalie - to reach. Who could forget Taylor's powerful goal, sliding between the WCDS goalie and the near post! There are too many highlights to choose from: it has been a season of hard work, joy and extraordinary growth for the Tandem Girls Varsity Soccer team.
 
Way back in February, I sat in the back of the room as the Girls Varsity Soccer team met for the first time. The squad featured tons of new, young players: four eighth graders and five ninth graders - nine varsity rookies - paired with nine returning veterans, only four of whom are seniors. The energy in the room was palpable - this squad of athletes was ready to come together and do something special!
Outside, it was freezing cold. The field was covered in snow... but that did not stop Juli from organizing pre-season team workouts in fifteen degree weather! That hard work and intensity is what has made this team special. If you attended any game this season - including today - you were able to see and feel that magic first hand.
 
After a big 5-1 win on the road on Friday, the Badgers were right back at it, taking on a physical Quantico team for the second time in four days. Althea was tremendous today, putting an enormous amount of pressure on the opponent. She earned a free kick ten minutes into the game, and it was powerful, forcing the opponent to shift their entire defense.
 
On the other end, Alex made a great save, and with the goal exposed, Juli made an amazing play to jump in and use her body to knock the ball out of bounds. Quantico's corner kick was intercepted by Annie, who sent the ball ahead to Hattie. Approaching midfield, she turned her back to the defender, put her foot on top of the ball, and spun to the middle. Zoey described it as "so tough," while Lola commented "that was totally Saquon." Once she was past her defender, Hattie found Althea who earned yet another free kick.
 
Quantico kept the pressure on, but Catriona had an impressive tackle in the box, and got the ball ahead to Nieve. As she has done throughout the season, Nieve dribbled through the defense and fired the ball up the field, flipping the position. Maeve, lightning fast, beat several defenders to the ball. The Badgers had a number of great shots in the first half - Hattie set up Ruthie for a powerful shot. After a save, the goalie punted the ball away but Sophie kept it in the offensive zone. Althea found Ruthie again for another shot - the pressure was on!
 
Defensively, Catriona and Annie hustled back, supporting Alex as Quantico had a breakaway. Juli, with her powerful clearance, sent the ball to Nieve who passed the ball all the way from the sideline across the field - nearly fifty feet - as Hattie attacked yet again. 
 
Quantico scored at the 22 minute mark, but the Badgers responded. Hadley shot the ball from way outside the box, and the goalie got her finger tips on it. The Badgers used the corner - drilling the ball into the middle - where Ruthie redirected it for her fourth goal in as many days!! 

The game was tied 1-1 at halftime and  Zoey started the second half with a vengeance. She had four shots in the first five minutes, pushing the ball up the field. She set up Ruthie for another powerful shot that went over the net. Defensively, Quantico appeared to have momentum, but Juli went from 0 to 1000 as she not only chased down the defender, but turned the ball to the outside and up the line.
 
Nieve worked closely with Sam and Hadley to set up another offensive chance, while Taylor and Lola made an immediate impact late in the game - giving the Badgers life after Quantico scored on a breakaway. At that point, Tandem had three key starters on the bench with injuries, and the bench was continuing to compete with a next player up mentality - giving it their absolute best effort.
 
Congratulations to this wonderful team of Varsity Girls Soccer Badgers, a squad that has earned the right to hold their head up high. With true class, the team worked incredibly hard today - and all season. Of course, there were lots of ups and downs, but through it all, they came together as a family. As the players and coaches broke the huddle and exchanged high-fives and hugs, I reflected back to that first meeting - and that first snowy student-led practice - and all of the excitement this team has provided our community since. What a journey. What a season. What a team! I am so proud of you all!
 
Special thank you to Coaches Nemanja and Carolyn for their expertise, enthusiasm and incredible tenacity. We are all so lucky to have these two exceptional coaches who serve as great teachers and role models for our student-athletes. Just like the players, Nemanja and Carolyn gave it their absolute all for every single moment of the season.
 
Additionally, thanks to all of the families for your support: taking care of these wonderful people, bringing such incredible energy on the hill, travelling to away games, providing snacks and meals, and so much more! Thank you also to all of the fans who came out to support this crew!

Lastly, thank you to Sam, Travis, Roger and Solomon for maintaining the field and making sure the games run. And of course, to the epic middle schoolers - the "muscle crew" who have helped me set up every home game - I appreciate you!
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Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
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