Aquinas High girls soccer repeats as state champions
MACON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Aquinas girls’ soccer team traveled to Mercer University in Macon on Tuesday with one thing on their mind — bringing a trophy back home and winning their second straight state title.
After a hard-fought game, the Lady Irish and their fans won’t be forgetting the closing seconds anytime soon.
Goals by freshman Mary Jane Knight in the ninth minute, junior Elle Morris in the 33rd and stellar defense in the second half helped Aquinas defeat Lake Oconee 2-1 and go back-to-back.
“It’s so amazing. I just feel so honored to be a part of this team. To know how hard we’ve worked, and to know that we get to inspire a whole generation of younger girls who get to look up to us and see that they can do this. With hard work, they can achieve anything, and I think we’re proof of that,” said player Katie Welsh.
Player Emma Kate Noegel said: “This was a lot younger of a group, so just coming up and working as a team and really growing together and being able to win state is I think better than the first time.”
Coach Sean Brandes said: “I’m so super proud of these girls. I’m so super proud of the school and the , the fans you saw it, my coaches, everybody together. It’s a team effort, unbelievable.”
There’s no substitute for experience, and the eleven returning players from last year’s state title-winning team stayed cool, calm and collected with the game on the line.
Coach Melissa Minton said: “This group has worked so hard to get back from where we came from last year. We lost five seniors, and another player was hurt. So, we were down a lot of starters.”
Player Landry Washington said: “This year was a little bit tougher than last year, but these girls are just great. We really worked hard these whole playoffs and it was just great.”
Knowing this season wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Aquinas makes having the opportunity to share this moment with their friends, family and classmates even more special.
Brandes said: “Once we started losing a couple of games, people started getting a little bit spectacle, and so I think the hardest part was to keep the position energy. I keep talking about no one living a positive life with a negative outlook, always talked about stalking positive, we’re either winning or we’re learning, and once the team started believing in that I think we turned the corner.”
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