Even on foreign turf, the girls varsity soccer team reigned supreme on Friday, Nov. 10 against the Wellesley Raiders. The quarter finals playoff game was a nail biter that went into overtime, eventually won by the Warriors 2-1.

When the game began, both teams were on the offensive. Possession switched back and forth between the two sides and neither team had the upper hand until the Raiders scored. The Warriors powered on, determined not to lose. Team captain and junior Sydney Freese said that she did everything in her power to support her team.

“I needed to put in everything I had and do everything I could so that when we left the field I didn’t regret anything,” Freese said.

It seemed that every Warriors player had the same mindset as Freese and fought hard to persevere, but the Raiders fought back. The two teams made several attempts on goal but neither was able to score. The Warriors goalkeeper, junior Julia Churwn made several saves.

“I just had to put my nerves aside and try to get the ball out whenever I could,” Churwin said.

In the final ten minutes of the game, team captain junior Anna Leschly broke through the Raiders defense and scored. The now tied game went to overtime. Freese said that the team had a lot of energy because they wanted to win the game quickly.

“I knew I didn’t want the game to go to penalty kicks because that was going to be stressful for everyone. We’re a team that plays to the end, every single game, so we just had to keep going,” Freese said.

Freese’s wish came true. In the final three minutes of overtime, she scored with an assist from captain senior Amara Okamadu, winning the game and sending the Warriors to the semi-finals. Head Coach Ben Peters said that it felt like a million pounds had been lifted off his shoulders.

“During overtime, I thought if we just kept pushing we’re going to get that goal’,” Peters said. “Once we tied that game I knew [the winner] was going to be us.”

Defender and sophomore Mirabelle Keselman said that one factor that led to their win was their determination and grit.

“On the field we have amazing chemistry. We’re all there for each other which is really important, we’re constantly bringing each other up,” Keselman said. “Off the field I think we’re the most bonded team in the state right now. We have team dinners and everyone’s always included. It’s the best time and we’re all a big family.”

Peters said that he feels confident going into the next round and that he would put the Warriors up against any team in the country. Peters has only one message for his team.

“Congratulations, but this is just one trophy,” Peters said. “The big one’s coming next.”