With only a few weeks left in the regular season, Richard Montgomery’s varsity girls soccer team is hoping to close out one of its strongest seasons in recent years on a high note. Under first-year varsity coach Bryony Hollingsworth, the team is sitting on an impressive 9-2 record as they prepare for the upcoming postseason playoffs.
“Overall, it’s been going super well,” Coach Hollingsworth said. “The girls have been having a ton of fun, I’ve been having a ton of fun, and we’ve been winning a lot of games.”
The season opener against Sherwood set the tone for the season. “There were a lot of nerves going into a new season, as there always are,” Coach Hollingsworth said. “That first win was super memorable and a great way to start.”
The Rockets have picked up several thrilling victories since then over traditionally more powerful teams such as Churchill and Walter Johnson. “That was a huge, huge win for us,” Coach Hollingsworth said. “I don’t remember the last time RM girls’ soccer beat WJ.”
These wins have helped the team build momentum throughout the season. “Beating Churchill and WJ were definitely the biggest highlights because we haven’t beaten them historically,” junior soccer player Sophie Miller said. “It was really exciting.”
This year marks Coach Hollingsworth’s first year coaching varsity after being with the JV team for four years. She has emphasized not just tactics but mentality for the team. “I’ve really been trying to push for a good team culture and resilience and just more unity among the team,” Coach Hollingsworth said. “I don’t think our struggles in the postseason have ever been about talent, so I’ve really tried to build that mental side of the game.”
The change in coaching has not posed a challenge for the team, but has instead had a positive impact. “Our new coach understands where we’re coming from when we have problems on and off the field,” senior captain Miriam D’Albora said. “We all seem to want to win and improve more with her motivating us.”
RM girls’ soccer has also been able to maintain good team chemistry and adaptability. “I think we’ve been able to maintain a lot of our team dynamics and add to it as well with the new players,” junior soccer player Annelise van der Walde said. “Everyone already knows each other, and the freshmen were all really open and friendly.”
Despite graduating star players last year, the team has been able to preserve its high standard of play. “Every single person on this team has stepped it up to a point where we don’t feel like we’re missing anyone,” D’Albora said.
The captains this year have also played a huge role in promoting team spirit and cohesion. “I think our captains have done such a great job of helping the team and being leaders for everyone,” van der Walde said. They’ve also helped with improving team culture and the mentality of the team. “The biggest part of my role as a captain is communicating on the field and trying to keep the team connected and uplifted,” D’Albora said.
The success of the girls’ soccer team this year can also be attributed to the positive community that is fostered between them. “I love how much of a team we are,” van der Walde said. “I love when we win together. I don’t like when we lose, obviously, but when we lose, we lose together.
The Rockets have a positive outlook for the remainder of the regular season and postseason. They hope to win regional finals this year, something the RM girls’ soccer team has not achieved in a long time. “It’s absolutely doable,” Coach Hollingsworth said. “And these girls deserve it.”
