Spartans down in playoff wildcard

Aryssah Stankevitsch 

Times Reporter 

 

Fourth place Strathmore High School (SHS) Spartans battled fifth place Highwood High School Mustangs in the girls soccer playoffs wild card match on Oct. 3. SHS beat Highwood earlier in the season, but the Mustangs would come out on top 7-3 in the back and forth match. Highwood now goes on to play the first place team to continue into the playoffs.

“We were playing absolutely the best game I’ve seen us play in the past two years,” Spartans Coach Kaitrin McDonnell said. “It was potentially the last game of the year. The girls went out there, they wanted it. Unfortunately the score just didn’t go our way. They were playing their hearts out. I couldn’t ask any more of my team.”

Trailing 4-2 to the Mustangs at halftime, the Spartan girls came back with a fighting second half with strong possession. SHS could not capitalize or shut down Highwood’s speed into their own end, so Highwood was ultimately more successful at moving the ball up the field.

“We do have to work on a couple things heading into next year, absolutely. They were very fast on their feet. We just have to work on getting back,” McDonnell said.

The match was fairly rough – a few girls on both teams earned bruises on plays.

“Kind of typical for teenage girls. Soccer is an aggressive sport. I don’t think people realize how aggressive and physical it is,” McDonnell said.

The team had its first victory in three years (ironically, against Highwood on Sept. 26), and have made drastic improvements in their team play.

“I’ve only been coaching for two seasons, but I am very proud and happy to be coaching these girls for this season. I can’t wait for the next two years, because a lot of my girls are in Grade 10,” McDonnell said.” It’s going to be awesome. Next year is going to be 10 times better, especially because we’re going to be conditioning more.”