New Reputation: Girls Soccer improves season record

By Angel Tran, Editor-In-Chief|May 24, 2017

Varsity starters line up during the pregame against Lincoln South- east on April 7th, 2017 during Heartland Athletic Conference.

By Angel Tran – SPORTS –
For a team with only one senior, this soccer team has made an impact on the soccer community. This young team, pulling in six freshmen, has already improved their season record from last year by holding a 6-10 record, an improvement over last year by an entire game.

“We have some good freshmen,” junior captain Cameron Rutsay said. “They have a big impact on the team, and if we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t have the record we have now.”

Captain, Lily Reineke (10) steals the ball during the first half of a conference game against Lincoln Southeast on April 7th, 2017.

As a team, the support system they have is massive. “We all get along, it’s really fun and we laugh and we joke, and it’s just really good chemistry,” Rutsay said. “I think be- ing a captain is the best feeling in the world, and it makes me feel really good that I can help others and set the tone and focus the team.”

Rutsay, along with sophomores Lexus Church and Lily Reineke are the three captains for the season, elected by fellow teammates.

Emily Smith (10) fights for the ball near the sideline against Lincoln Southeast on April 7th, 2017All photos taken by Natalia Schmidt

“Being a captain… it’s hard to describe because it’s so important to me to be a strong and influential leader on the field and I am so very excited to have been able to have this experience this year,” Church said.

Growing as a team, the girls have overcome many obstacles and accomplished many major goals for the sea- son. “People get negative very fast. If we are losing, people get–I don’t know, I won’t lie because I hate losing and I don’t try to be rude about it, but people get negative and they yell at each other but that’s definitely one of our weaknesses,” Rutsay said.

“The biggest weaknesses on our team would have to be when one person breaks down we all break down, when one person gives up we all give up… like a chain reaction,” Church said.

“The girls have done really well this season,” assistant coach Zach Church said. “We have had a lot of injuries, but they have fought through and played tough. They have grown as a team and have really showed they care about this team and the success of girls soccer at LHS.”

LHS Girls Soccer has grown immensely and is working to beat their reputation and create a new look for Lincoln High.

“The girls varsity team has come a long way in the last few years,” coach Church said. “If the team stays committed and puts in the hard work and continues to improve, they will have a great chance to make it back to the state tournament,” coach Church said.

“We all come with a good attitude to practice and that really shows in our games,” Sommers said.

“I think the Links Girls Varsity Soccer team is growing and our reputation could easily be turned around if we keep working hard and accomplishing our goals. I love my team and I’m so excited for next season already,” Church said.