While most winter Southwest Preparatory Conference tournaments take place in mid-February, the girls’ soccer team will kick off their championship run a week earlier, with their first game scheduled for Feb. 6.
This adjustment stems from the Elite Clubs National League Girls Texas National Event, which is a prestigious club soccer showcase in Dallas that overlaps with SPC weekend. The tournament, which attracts top club teams from across the state, caused conflicts for many SPC players.
Despite the schedule change, the team has prepared to take on the competition. With a strong 10-5 overall record and a 4-2 conference record, the Falcons enter SPC as the third seed in the South Zone, aiming to make a deep run in the SPC playoffs.
Senior captain and leading goal scorer Emily Camp, a Trinity College soccer commit, has played a crucial role in the team’s success.
However, their journey has had setbacks.
This season, the team has endured significant adversity, losing three players—senior Haylie George, sophomore Charlotte Mctaggart, and junior Ellison Anderson—all to season-ending ACL injuries.
Rather than letting these challenges hinder them, the team has used them as fuel for their SPC push.
Senior Penelope Gustafson reflects on how the adversity has strengthened their bond.
“I feel that the struggles we’ve faced have really pushed us to become closer together and prepared us for any challenges we may face,” Gustafson said.
She also shared her highlight of the season.
“My favorite memory of the season was beating St. John’s four to nothing. It always feels good to beat St. John’s and to shut them out was awesome,” she said.
With the regular season wrapped up, the girls focused on their final preparations for the SPC tournament and their first-round game against St. Stephens, which is located in Austin, Texas.
