On October 28, 2023, Orchard Park Girls Varsity Soccer lost to Lancaster 2-1 in the Section Finals. This painful loss remains in the minds of OP Girls Varsity soccer as the new season begins. Catie Kelly, who experienced the loss last year was asked how it has motivated her this season: “Everyone was hurt and we all worked super hard in the season to reach where we are now.”
The new soccer season is underway, and Orchard Park and Lancaster competed again on September 12 for the first time since the 2023 Section Final, with Orchard Park coming out on top 2-1 this time, leaving one to wonder if Orchard Park has the potential to win the 2024 Section Final.
It’s important to note that the team has moved from the AAA bracket to the AA bracket, resulting in Lancaster no longer being the team’s biggest competition. Despite this change, the win against Lancaster keeps the team hopeful that they can beat Clarence, who is currently ranked number 1 in WNY. Coach Graffeo uses the acronym CARED, Competitive, Accountable, Resilience, Encouraging, Disciplined, to remind the team to keep all five of those words in mind every day and every game.
“You guys have good players but have to play as a team,” said Anna Jones, current JV Girls goalie when asked about the potential success of the varsity team. Keeping the CARED acronym in mind is a must. Doing things such as holding teammates accountable and encouraging each other will keep them on the path to win in the Finals.
The girls’ team has had a strong start to their season with two wins and one loss in league games. As the team continues to develop and grow throughout the season, when the day of the Section Final arrives, the OP Girls Varsity will be stronger than ever. Lindsey Howard, a current varsity player was asked what the team needs to improve on before the final. “We need to start with 100% effort and keep it throughout the entire game,” answered Howard. This will hopefully develop over time. “We need to keep working hard in practice,” Howard added, while being in full agreement that the team has the potential to win the Section Final with the improvement of those two things.
There is just over a month until the Section Final, and during that time the team will develop and grow. By the end of October, the OP Girls’ Varsity team will compete in the Section 6 playoffs with a very motivated team.
