At the end of a game, there’s a winner and a loser. After 80 minutes of passing, dribbling, and shooting, the scoreboard will represent the few moments that resulted in a goal. LM girls’ varsity soccer has finished their regular season with a remarkable 14-2-1 record. More often than not, the scoreboard was a welcome sight throughout their games. Regardless of how their upcoming playoff games go, and what the board will show then, their in-season achievements are cause enough for celebration.
Last year, the team went farther in the playoffs than any recent squad. After a heartbreaking end, players removed their shinguards and cleats. After a bit of rest, it was time to begin working towards the 2025 season. However, the team would be composed differently, having lost a few key seniors. Now the team has their new leaders from the senior class including their goalkeeper Cate Cantu ’26, key defender Kendall Baker ’26, and forward Dylan Steinberg ’26 who leads the roster in goals. Together, they represent different positions, and their collective experience benefits everyone. Many juniors have taken on greater roles, with a few underclassmen also enhancing the team. Eloise Gerson ’27 described the transition and how “it definitely took a bit to make some big adjustments and get used to playing with each other at the start, but we’ve come together and developed a lot.” Under the leadership of their captains, head coach Kevin Ries, and assistant coach Brian Feeney, the team picked right up from last season, staying with the upward trend.
Throughout the season, a constant positive mood was maintained by the players on girls’ soccer. Speakers blasted music during their practices as they grinded out drills and productive workouts in the pursuit of another solid pass, another beautiful goal, and another rush accompanying a win. Cantu, one of the few seniors, explained the culture and how “special it is that we are all so close as a team. Having the opportunity to play the game I love with the people I love after school every day is something I am super grateful for.” As September faded into October, the squad never slowed down. They pushed through tough opponents, including Harriton High School, Garnet Valley High School, Springfield High School, Haverford High School, and many more. While most of these games weren’t total domination, LM proved again and again their ability to win close games, securing victories in seven one-goal difference games. The only two losses of the season were by one score, proving how formidable an opponent the Aces are. After winning their final regular season game against Conestoga on October 16, the group secured 14 wins. With only one loss and a tie, the girls’ soccer team finished second in the Central League and fifth in all of District One.
With the regular season completed, the focus completely shifts to preparing for the postseason. A competitive and intense part of the season, entry isn’t guaranteed and must be won, meaning that competition is tougher. The district tournament is a complex process, but one designed to ensure that every school has a fair shot. Each team is guaranteed three games, with the opponents being determined by seeding and results of the previous matchups. Only the top five teams will earn a coveted spot at states, something that LM girls’ soccer intends to work towards. Last season, the team finished in second place. Gerson ’27 detailed how they have been steadily improving each postseason and hopes that this year’s team can, “continue that trend, and have this team continue into the state tournament.” Coach Ries has full confidence in the 2025 roster, articulating how they “expect to compete with the best teams in the state.”
Coming off of a six game win streak, LM extended it to seven with their first round playoff victory against Garnet Valley High School. Goals were scored by Ryan Cromer ’27 and Nieve Clifford ’27, to secure a strong 2-0 performance. In the second round of districts, on October 23, the Aces faced off against Perkiomen Valley High School, and emerged with a 1-0 win, again highlighting their impressive talent to take home victories in close games. Just two days later, in the quarterfinals, girls’ soccer completed the upset against Spring-Ford Area High School, with an overtime game winning goal by Harper Gust ’27. That shot sent LM through into the district semi-finals, and ensured their place in the state tournament, meeting their collective goal for the postseason. While girls’ soccer took their first loss of the district tournament on October 22, 0-1 defeat to Pennridge High School, the team hasn’t lost hope. They will play a final game to determine final placing in districts, and seeding for their upcoming appearance in the state tournament.
School, practice, game, schoolwork, repeat. The grind that lasts the entirety of the season, August to October. It’s enough to weaken teams and rattle players. But through that storm, LM varsity girls’ soccer has stayed straight on course. Before every game, in the group huddle, Ries motivates his team with his phrase, “Be great.” And while these words don’t seem deep on the surface, their impact is felt by every player as they step on the field. It’s the motivation to hustle, to do your best, to go all out for your teammates. Greatness has been achieved by the girls’ soccer team this season and awaits them further in their postseason.
