Almost immediately after the whistle blows, the ball is passed to Ashly. While charging up the field, dribbling the ball, she watches her surroundings. Micah’s got her back, Gina’s up at corner, but the middle is wide open. Ashly makes a break for the 18 and takes the winning shot.

The CFHS Girls soccer team first sparked last fall. Although they only acquired enough bodies for one varsity team, the girls let nothing stand in their way of starting something new. This year, the girls and coaches excitedly reunited with an incredible sense of confidence and spirit.

Head coach Anne Davisson describes the sport as physical and creative. She also adds that her coaching position was inevitable, and that the field is like an extension of the classroom. This year she hopes to “learn the game, improve our skills, grow, and have fun.” Her favorite moments so far are “seeing the girls from last year return to the pitch and realizing how far we’ve come in a year, while at the same time welcoming new people daring themselves to take on a new challenge.”  

Davisson coaches alongside assistant coach Laura Rezac, a special ed teacher from Wastedo in Goodhue County. Rezac “fell upon the position through a really random way”, by meeting Anne and connecting well with her. When asked why she wanted to coach soccer she replied, “I just love soccer, thinking like a soccer player, being a soccer player, and the passion for the game that I have.” She says that the team has improved on every little skill such as shooting, crosses, making runs, and planned plays.

Along with the coaches, the players are also very enthusiastic about this years season. Captain Madeline Carlson smiles as she states how well the team works together. “I hope this season we get more wins, but more important than that is that our level of playing would increase.” When faced with the shortage of players, Carlson yells “Join! Don’t even think about it, just join.” Many may describe soccer as a brutal sport; Carlson confirms that by adding “it is a fast paced sport, you are always running, on your feet, and need to know what’s going on.”

It seems as if a new team has taken the field this season, shaped by the hours of practice and determination.