On the weekend of April 12, the varsity girls soccer team hosted and placed first at the Longhorn Classic Tourney. The four day tournament began on Wednesday, April 10 and lasted through Saturday, April 13.

“We didn’t know what to expect. We enter every tournament hopeful and focused,” coach Annie Wayland said.

The game against Whitfield High School resulted in a 3-0 victory with goals scored by sophomore Alexa Riley, junior Alyssa Manwill and sophomore Rachel Yang along with assists by Riley and junior Gabby Rath.

Next, the team defeated Warrenton High School 5-0. Freshman Lindsay Anstine, sophomore Victoria Klemm and junior Addy Tabrizi all scored one goal while Riley scored two. Assists came from Manwill, Rath and Anstine.

The team took the tournament championship against O’Fallon Christian High School, winning 2-0. Riley and Anstine both scored one goal with assists from Manwill.

“We have been working on trying to play a full 80 minute game of quality soccer. Possession, consistent defense, offensive runs, and getting everyone involved was key. Post three shutouts was a huge accomplishment for Elizabeth Carroll, our goalkeeper, and our defense,” Wayland said.

At the beginning of the season, six freshman girls were added to the varsity roster, four of them starting.

“All of our freshman have done an excellent job stepping up and rising to the occasion,” Wayland said.

Although there were a few key players that scored goals in this tournament, the entire team contributed to the first place win at the end of the Longhorn Classic Tourney.

“Offensively through defensively our team was incredibly strong. Our backfield and goalkeeping were strong and as a whole we were able to put up three shutouts in three games. They were all very reliable and composed. Our center midfielders did an excellent job at dictating the game and were solid at distributing dangerous balls to our wing midfielders and forwards while also putting up dangerous shots themselves. Our wing midfielders were making quality runs and creating dangerous scoring opportunities for our team. Our forwards have become more and more dangerous with their runs and quality shots,” Wayland said.

The tournament was an opportunity to showcase the soccer teams talent.

“Having the girls find success was a really positive way to end the tournament. They have been working very hard and it was nice to see them rewarded for their efforts and improvements,” Wayland said.