BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

STE’s Road to the Women’s Soccer State Championship

By Reena Kudchadker, Saint Thomas' Episcopal School, School Buzz Editor | February 27, 2018

Click the Buzz Me button to receive email notifications when this writer publishes a new article or a new article in this column is published.

Women varsity soccer captains (from left) Emily Schwartz '19, Amerika Kohne-Sanchez '19 and Emily Ware '19.

On Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, lucky spectators witnessed a competitive women’s soccer match-up between Saint Thomas’ Episcopal High School (12-0) and Cypress Christian High School (9-3). The cold, blustery day added to the excitement. The winning team earned a spot in the playoffs, bringing them closer to the coveted State Championship title. It was the second time the two teams met this season. Top ranked STE beat second ranked Cypress Christian by a score of 6-0 during a regular season game in November.

With the game at Cypress Christian School and facing freezing temperatures, the tension was thick in the locker room of the STE Saints. At 1 p.m., the game started. Cypress was playing with strong determination and each team was resolute on not letting the other score. By halftime, Cypress was up 1-0. The STE women’s soccer team had to shake off their disappointment from the first half and stay focused as they entered the second half of this district game.

“During halftime, we [Captains: Amerika Kohne-Sanchez ‘19, Emily Schwartz ‘19 and Emily Ware ‘19] reinforced just how much we believed in the team. We highlighted some passes, plays, and combinations that were noteworthy during the first half. [But] we also discussed ways to improve our playing and each player including us [captains] understood that she would have to step it up in order to win the game,” Emily Ware said.

Beginning the second half, the girls came out with dedication and fought even harder to defend their first-place rank. Their communication on the field showed how they worked as one unit; talking and calling passes demonstrated the team’s desire to win and advance to State. For the women’s soccer team, winning State would be a first for Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School.

“The team has gotten very far this year because of how we play together. Everyone watching can tell that we are having fun on the field while working 110%. We play the best when we have fun. If we continue to do that, I believe we can go all the way,” explained holding midfielder, Kat Lazor ‘20.

It was the end of regulation play and the score was tied 1-1. Penalty kicks in overtime would determine which team would hold the first-place position in their district. The STE women’s team proved themselves by scoring the winning penalty kick and ending the tough match against Cypress Christian by a score of 2-1. This game was also a great mental victory for the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Women’s Varsity Soccer team as they played with intense passion and drive. STE has their eyes set on State Champion in an attempt to make school history with the women’s varsity soccer team. Go Saints!