They’ve earned another Section IX title
With a 2-0 win over Highland on Monday afternoon, the O’Neill girls’ varsity soccer team earned it’s third straight Section IX Class B championship. Coach Kristin Leska led her team to an undefeated season with a 10-0 record.
“While it is true that over a year ago, life came to a halt and soccer seasons were cancelled, the Lady Raiders were finally given their chance this Fall 2 season to prove that a global pandemic will not stand in the way of winning yet another Section IX title,” Leska said Monday evening. “This team needs to be commended for their endless need to learn, to improve and to evolve. Their desire to work together and the love they have for one another and the game, is what contributed to their undefeated record and to winning three back to back titles.”
In Monday’s game, which was played at O’Neill, Daisy West, Shauna Ryan and Katlyn Zdeb each had two goals and Amaya Hill and Kate Feldman had one each. Feldman had two assists and Josey Arbogast and Hill had one each. Goalie Abigail Fuhriman had three saves.
The team’s four seniors commented on the win:
Goalie Fuhriman called it a solid season. “We worked hard and communicated well,” she said. “It wasn’t easy with the masks and the time we lost due to being exposed to COVID-19 but we all continued to push through and show Section 9 what the O’Neill Lady Raiders are all about! I really enjoyed this last season. I’ve been with the team for four years and it has been quite the journey. I had the best coaches and teammates and that’s why we do so well… talent and hard work pay off!”
Kiley Johnes, who plays defense called the season one of the best, despite the restrictions, and difficulties. “With unpredictable weather, and COVID-19 exposures, we still managed to adapt and overcome and in the end it all paid off!” she said. “This has been one of my favorite seasons with the team. I’ve only played for O’Neill for two years but this team is one that I can definitely call family. All of the girls have such amazing talent and spirit and it has always encouraged me to want to play more and do better every time I step on the field.”
Center midfielder Shauna Ryan has played on the team the last four years. “This year was a lot different than others, but it didn’t bring down our motivation, instead we continued to grow as a team. These four seasons have been unforgettable and I am so proud to be a part of the Lady Raiders.”
Kate Barnes plays defense, and said she was brought to tears at the end of Monday’s game. “All I can say is how proud I am of our team this year,” she said. “I have loved every one of my seasons with this team and have seen us all grow as players and individuals. It felt so surreal this year being the senior teammates and I really am beyond grateful we got to play.”
All four thanked Leska, as well as Assistant Coach Stan Stanley Rychcik and their teammates for their work this season.
To get to Monday’s championship game, O’Neill beat Burke 6-0 on Sunday afternoon, also at O’Neill. Goals were scored by Zdeb (two), Hill (two), Adah Spain and Harper Howell, with assists by Hill, Zdeb, Spain and West (three). Fuhriman had one save.
