The season is now in full swing for our girls soccer team, which means it’s time to take a look at what they have in store. We’ll take a look at the roster construction, upcoming schedule, and some positives and negatives thus far. The Bulldogs have started the year off with 1-3 through their first four games. Their lone win came against Uintah, while the three losses came at the hands of Morgan, St. Joseph’s, and Juan Diego, all by one goal. The Bulldogs also had a game against Rowland Hall, but it was rained out and will not count towards their record. Despite these defeats, there are plenty of positives to draw. Judge has a roughly equal goals scored to goals against ratio, at 7:9. As well as this, they are entering an easy stretch of five games, and are hoping to work out some of the kinks before the postseason starts.
The Bulldogs are entering this year with a brand new coaching staff, marking the third change in personnel in the last four years. The team hopes this new group of leaders can get the team over the hump: they have come close each of the past five seasons, but have yet to produce a championship.
While a completely new coaching staff is sure to lead to some growing pains throughout the season, the Bulldogs do have plenty of experienced players that should help stabilize. Judge is returning eight seniors this year, all of whom are expected to play a major role this year. This group is led by four captains: Senior Forward Addie Wikstrom, Senior Mid-Fielder Sarah Bowler, Senior Center-Back Paige Larson, and Junior Goalkeeper Lorraine Hyngstrom.
The offensive attack should be a strong point this year, with Loyola Marymount (D1) commit Addie Wikstrom leading the group. Wikstrom is a speed demon, easily being able to control the ball and outrun her opponent in most 1v1 situations. Senior forwards Serena De Astis and Kate Warren will also start right beside her up top. So far this season, the offense has struggled to strike first, scoring only one of their seven goals on the year in the first half. This has led to deficits the team has struggled to come out of. If the Bulldogs can score first, it will take pressure off of the back line and create more opportunities to win.
The midfield consists of three different power points. First up is Sarah Bowler, a three year starter who recently committed to continue her academic and athletic career at Vassar College in New York. Though not scoring a ton of goals, she is good with the ball and a spectacular defender. Beside Bowler is Sophomore Rowan Hankins, a powerful newcomer who is a wizard with the ball. Like Sarah, she seldom scores, but gets the job done with passes that lead to assists. In the game against Juan Diego, Hankins had multiple passes that broke the defense and set up goal scoring opportunities. Rounding out the three middies, star freshman Lily Wikstrom has started off her high school career with a bang. So far, she has scored two goals in her first four games. Her speed, strength, and creativity with the ball are invaluable and impact the team by creating many opportunities for goals. With all three commandeering the middle, the midfield should be a strong point for the team this year.
The Defense starts three Seniors: captain Paige Larson, Izzy Fowler, and Maleah Macey. Alongside the seniors, Junior Mia Giovanniello takes that final starting spot. All had starting roles in the prior campaign, which allows the line to be incredibly experienced. In the goal is Junior goalkeeper Lorraine Hyngstrom. She enters her second season as starting keeper, and is looking to build on a 2022 campaign which saw her give up just 16 goals in 8 games. This is yet another group of very experienced players who should be able to get the job done.
While the start of the season has been a bit disappointing, the recipe for success is there. The offense has struggled in the first half to start the year, scoring only one of their seven goals in the first half this year. On the upside, however, the defense is doing pretty okay. They have only allowed nine goals on the season. However, they have also allowed six of those in the second half. For both sides of the ball, it is imperative that they lower goals scored in the second half and score more in the first half. This will allow them to take an early lead in any game and never look back.
There are bound to be some growing pains with a completely new coaching staff. However, if all the talent on this squad can join together, this team has the potential to be serious contenders and make a legitimate run at a state title.
