The girls soccer team opened their season on Tuesday against the Academy of Holy Angels. The team was anxious to start the fall off on the right note, after having their season opener cancelled just three days prior.

Sophomore forward, Caitlin Rock, reflected on the team’s defense and offense before the game: “We have strong defensive players, including our captains Claire Rothstein and Olivia Russo. And then we also have a very strong attack, in which we have two new players Meve Kelly (8), and Ella Haley (10). Both will be crucial players for our team.”

Within the first 5 minutes of the game, Holy Family had taken multiple shots on net while also keeping possession of the ball.

As the game continued, the possession evened out and Holy Angels began to take control of the game. With 14 minutes left in the half, Holy Angels forward Sheridan Thorp (12) broke through the Fire defense and scored a goal.

Holy Family did not let up, they continued to pressure the ball all over the field, and eventually the exhausted team scored. In her first game as a sophomore transfer, Ella Haley shot the ball into the bottom corner of the net with just six minutes left in the half, tying the game 1-1.

Claire Rothstein (12) started the second half off well, with a tough tackle in the middle of the field. However, shortly after a Holy Angels player crossed the ball and found a teammate at the far post, putting the Stars up 2-1.

Just ten minutes in the second half, the Holy Angels goalie dropped to the ground unexpectedly, requiring the team trainer and coach to run on the field. Eventually, starting goalie Greta Forseth (11) walked off the field and a substitute came in to finish the game.

Shortly after, having controlled a through ball by a teammate, Camilla Rosenberg (12) sent the ball soaring through the air with just the right bend, finding the back of the net. Her goal tied the game at 2-2 with 25 minutes remaining.

Immediately after, a Holy Angels corner kick resulted in a goal by Julie Miler (12), allowing Holy Angels to regain the lead.

Towards the end of the second half, Brielle Bornhorst (11) took the ball down the field and placed a ball perfectly into the top center of the net, tying the game at 3 a piece.

In the final frantic minutes, the pace picked up even more, with Holy Family attacking for almost 15 minutes with non-stop shots.

“We have to stop the shots before they happen!” a Holy Angels defender yelled to her team. Eventually, the offensive pressure by Holy Family died off, and Holy Angels took advantage of quick counter-attacks to take claim a 5-3 victory.

It was a tough loss for the Fire, but there were definite positives for the team to carry into their next games.

Checking back in with Caitlin Rock (10) after the game, she said, “I think whole team played well. You can tell when we started passing the ball together and making the small passes, the team really connected.” She went on to say that although they played a tough opponent, “it’s only up from here.”

The girls look to rebound against Rockford this afternoon at 3pm.