Fall has begun with new classes in school and a new season for sports. The team to watch this fall season is definitely girl’s soccer; already, the varsity team has been named one of the top ten teams in the metro area, the only Class A team listed.

With sixteen returning players, the team is an experienced one. “A benefit of having a huge returning team is that the chemistry is already there, and it only gets raised to another level,” said senior team captain Laura Kosch.

Five seniors have been on the team since freshman year and have attended three state tournaments in their time playing; they’re planning for a fourth one this season. “The players have their sights set on returning to the state tournament,” said head coach Scott Helling-Christy, “we will have to play our best to have a chance of it happening again.”

So far in the season, the team’s dream of going to state looks hopeful. Three games in and they have already won each by a significant number of goals. The girls have stayed strong despite several injuries ailing the team so early in the season.

Junior Kackie Dankbar broke her tibia and fibula over the summer but is expected to make a return early October. Senior Erin Katopodis fractured her knee at try outs; junior Sam Thomas had a severe sprain in her ankle, but has already made her return to the field. “My main concern would be getting ahead of ourselves and choking,” said senior Maddie Bergh, another team captain, “we just need to play it one game at a time.”

Another major factor that aids the team’s success is talent. Keeper and senior captain Maddie Jobe has been on the team since freshman year. Ranked as one of the top players in the state, she has been selected to be a member of the All-State Tournament team and was named as one of the Star Tribune’s players to watch.

Senior Laura Kosch, another captain of the team who plays center midfielder, has also received all state honors last season. Seniors Melissa Borer and Maddie Bergh, have also been on the team since freshman year and have steadily improved over the years.

“We know we are the top contender this year with the veteran line-up,” said captain Maddie Jobe, “we do have a lot of motivation coming into this season however with the way we’ve finished in the past.”

With what looks like a very promising season ahead of them, the varsity girl’s soccer team continues to prove that they will win, and hopefully see the state tournament farther along in the season.