Wildcats Battle Viz With a Convincing 2-1 Victory

Christine Dohr - Staff Writer
April 23, 2010
Filed under Sports

The varsity girls’ soccer team stepped onto the field last Saturday afternoon, preparing to engage in a 90-minute battle. Visitation Academy, one of the highest ranked girls’ soccer team in Missouri small schools, was arguably the toughest opponent the Westminster varsity would face the entire season. In the pre-game huddle, Coach Warren Smith told the team that the game was all going to come down to everyone’s effort on the field. And from start to finish, effort is what defined the varsity girls’ play.
“They were really pushing me around,” said Brittany Zee-Cheng, sophomore, “but when I saw how hard my teammates were working, it encouraged me to push them back.”
Later in the first half, there was a scuffle in front of Visitation’s goal and Zee-Cheng managed to slot the ball past the keeper into the left-hand corner.
“At first I couldn’t believe we’d actually scored first,” said Madeleine Smith, sophomore defender, “but the next second I was running up the field to join in the celebration. We were so pumped.”
Propelled by a 1-0 lead, the Wildcats continued their relentless pressure and determined hustle until the whistle blew at half. Smith warned the girls that Viz would come out with new energy, and challenged them to “pressure, pressure, pressure.”
Taking the field with minds set with a focused determination, the battle continued. No one team dominated control; the second half was back and forth with both teams making clean, organized plays and getting chances at goal. Keeping the audience on the edge of their seat, every moment of play was filled with energy and good, composed soccer. As the game progressed, each team was hungry for a goal, and Visitation took hold of their opportunity. When the WCA defense got sucked over to one side of the field, a Viz winger crossed the ball to striker Jade Klump, freshman, whose strike on goal went to the back of the net.
Still determined, the Westminster girls continued to play their game.
“We were so determined to NOT lose that game. When they scored, it just pushed us harder,” said Lizzie Blackwell, junior forward.
As the clock ticked away and the Cats made their way down the field into the upper third, Ellie Huffman, sophomore gained possession and slotted a perfect ball through the defensive line to Shelby Kehr, freshman, who finished it with a successful shot on goal.
“We went crazy. For us, that was the point of no return,” said Katie Haverstick, senior team captain.
For the remainder of the game, the Lady Wildcats held off the frantic Viz offense until the final blow of the whistle. As the girls walked across the field towards the bleachers with heads held high and faces beaming, they were greeted with an uproar of cheering from their enthusiastic fans and parents.
“Walking off the field with arms around each other was the greatest feeling. I know for a fact everyone gave 110% and it showed. We came out with a convincing win, and it was so satisfying,” said Haverstick.