The girls soccer team has won State six times since the opening of West in 1999. Last year the team lost in the final against Hebron, but despite that loss, the players have had stress on them to keep up the winning legacy.

“With all the repeat wins, people want you to keep winning,” senior Shannon Ballard said, “so

with the back to back wins in the past few years, people want you to keep it up.”

Ballard is not the only one already feeling the strain of having a consistently successful team. Playing a sport that you love is fun, but it can also be a burden when the whole school has their eyes on you, awaiting a win.

“I definitely do feel pressured just because we’ve had so many wins and having such high standards,” junior Ashley Aitken said. “We’re ready for it.”

Because soccer is a spectator sport, there are people at every game cheering and jeering every time a player touches the ball. Having people at every game can be motivational, but it also can make the players feel like success is the only option. They say that being a little nervous is important to perform well, but some players like junior Kaylyn Murray do not necessarily agree that these nerves stem from the crowd.

“We are under pressure to win, but it’s not coming from the public,” Murray said. “We are putting the pressure on ourselves to perform as well we can.”

Another challenge for the girls this year comes from the new district. The new 5A district includes Hebron High School, which could pose a threat for the team.

“We know how competitive they are but it will give us a chance to prove ourselves,” said Murray.

Ballard feels similarly about the new addition to the district.

“I know it’s going to be really tough especially since we had to face them in the final,” Ballard said.

This upcoming year will definitely be a challenge for the team, but with the school’s support, the girls can make it all the way to State.

“With our district increasing with difficulty, we know that there’s not going to be any gimme games so every win is going to have to take a lot of hard work,” Ballard said.