It is no question that the girls soccer team is eager to win the PIAA state title this year. The team is ready to face any challenges that come their way and keeping an undefeated record at the same time.

“We plan to improve by still working to the best of our abilities, and not getting too high headed just because of what we accomplished last year,” junior Taylor Greene said.

The team is continuing to work hard and dominate out on the field.

“Our strengths are definitely our teamwork and communication on the field, which is a key factor to the game. Also, we all really help each other by giving positive feedback,” sophomore Myah Hrinko said.

Last year, Freedom  created a co-op with New Brighton adding some different skills to the team. Junior Michaela Watkins, from New Brighton, is one of the leading scorers on the team. Watkins gave some insight on what it’s like being on the team.

“Being on the Freedom team is very fun and enjoyable. It’s funny to think they were me and the other New Brighton’s girls biggest rivals two years ago, but everyone was so nice and welcoming last year and we all fit together as one team. I really don’t see a difference with playing with Freedom. We all connect so well on the field, it’s like we’ve been playing together for years,” Watkins said.

Although the team remains undefeated, they have faced some problems along the way. Junior Myla Sharpless tore her ACL in the game against Keystone Oaks on Sept. 9 along with senior Jordan Hartle who got a concussion on Oct. 4 against Quaker Valley.

“This season is different by not having Myla to hold down the midfield, but we have other strong players to take over from other positions and still manage to win games,” Greene said.

“The injuries this season of course are absolutely terrible. It has affected us greatly in the enter mid and now that we have another player on defense hurt, it is hard,” Hrinko said.

Even without these two members, the team is still working towards the state title. The Bulldogs defeated Quaker Valley with a final score of 3-1. The girls also dominated Steel Valley with a score of 17-1 on Oct. 9 making the team section champions.

The girls finished out the regular season with a record of 17-0, moving them into the playoffs. On Oct. 26 the team headed to Moon Area High School to face off against Brownsville, with a win of 4-1 for their first playoff game of the season. This win means the team is one step closer to winning the WPIAL championship, for the second year in a row.