KAC’s Soccer Girls Phenomenal Season

By Gisselle Mireles, Staff Reporter

April, 2022

The KAC girls’ soccer team fought hard on the field this season. In the regional playoffs, they played previously undefeated KIPP Austin Brave High School, which had defeated KAC twice in the regular season, but took the win with a score of 3-1 and made it to the state championship semi-finals, where they met their match in IL Texas Keller-Saginaw High School. After 80 minutes going back and forth with the ball, Keller-Saginaw scored, ending the game 1-0. 

After the game, I talked to some students who attended and they said in unison, “That s— was wild!” According to team manager Julie Bautista, there was a huge amount of support from “the teachers, cheerleaders, mascot, and other people that went to the game, they were cheering, they had signs, they had face paint.”

“They were literally screaming their lungs out for the team, and it was just the most beautiful thing ever,” added Bautista.

Among all the excitement, one attendee alleged that there were some times where the referee didn’t see some things that should have been marked and that it felt unfair. But, at the end of the day it was a thrilling game to watch and they appreciated the teams’ hard work.

Despite the game’s outcome, Coach Avila said this about the playoffs: “They were incredible … We do it to compete at a high level and unfortunately none of our teams won the state championship, which is the ultimate goal, but our girls made it to the second state semi-final in a row.”

“We were good this year, which means we’re only going to be better next year,” Avila concluded. 

Senior defender Diana Martinez also added, “It sucks because it’s our senior year and I was really hoping to win the state championships with my teammates, but we did our best and we tried hard.”

Now, the KAC girls’ soccer team is only looking forward as they’ll be building up their team. With the loss of 3 seniors this year, three new starters will be needed. To those interested in trying out, Coach Avila offered these tips: “Pass your classes, be respectful to your teachers–you can’t pass your classes if you can’t stay out of trouble–and specifically in regards to soccer work on your endurance make sure you’re in good shape. And try to touch the ball as much as possible, go out and play, go to pick up games, work on your shot, work on that touch.” 

Lastly, Bautista wanted to share some words to her team, “I want to thank the girls for letting me be their manager, I know I wasn’t 100% there, but the times I was there they were so nice to me, so kind. And I’d just like to thank them for giving me this opportunity, and making this year a memorable one.”