The girls’ varsity soccer team is currently unranked in the Sunflower League, as they have not yet had an official game. But, the team ended the 2024-25 season ranked 22nd in Kansas and 4th in the Sunflower League.
According to captain Sophie Danker, the team possesses a strong group of senior players, with four of the ten seniors planning on playing at the collegiate level: Addison Stover at IU Indianapolis, Kate Lucas at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Makaylee Terril at UW-Whitewater and Ellie Moilenen at UW-Eau Claire. The varsity captains are Sophie Danker, Louisa Holzberlein and Lucas, with Danker and Lucas as returning captains.
Danker and Molienen are looking forward to their annual game against Mill Valley High School, which will take place on April 11 at SM North District Stadium, and will have a home advantage while they take on their rivals. Their first official game is March 31 against Blue Valley High School at College Boulevard Activities Complex.
The team had a roster of 24 last season, and 19 this season, and is finding ways to make a smaller roster successful, according to Danker. The team has various traditions outside of the game to enhance their team dynamic, like team dinners, Saturday morning breakfasts after scrimmages and rally girls. Rally girls is an activity players do before games to increase positivity and support, where each person is assigned to a teammate to surprise with their favorite snacks or drinks.
“We could make a really good run at state," Danker said. "That’s the goal, and that’s been the mentality for the start of this year. For the seniors on the team, every year that's been the mentality, but this year, especially because we are so senior-heavy, that's been more prominent this year.”
According to Danker, the team is starting to figure out their chemistry on the field and solidify their communication while playing, since all players come from different club backgrounds and were trained under various soccer languages.
No current injuries have been reported that will affect the 2025-26 season. Stover is returning to high school soccer after spending two years away. She spent her freshman year on varsity, her sophomore year she focused on club soccer, and her junior year she tore her ACL, which required her to undergo extensive rehabilitation to heal.
“Transitioning back to high school soccer has been amazing; it’s been really fun to be around all of the girls again, and I’m really excited to play in front of everyone,” Stover said.
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