WMS girls’ soccer team unbeaten despite missing a regular goalkeeper

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Middle School’s seventh grade girls’ soccer team are 6-0 as of Thursday, Oct. 10 and have not let in a goal from any of their opponents yet. This would be impressive for any team, but what makes this extra noteworthy is this team has no designated goalie. Coach Aaron Talon has been rotating players in to play goalkeeper and the team’s defense is so strong their opponents barely get an opportunity to approach Windham’s net.

Alexis Woodcock of Windham Middle School's seventh
grade girls' soccer team focuses on where to send the ball
during a game against Lincoln Middle School on
Thursday, Oct. 10. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

This was evident in a game at Windham against Lincoln on Thursday, Oct. 10, where Windham won 7-0 and multiple Windham players scored.

“We’re a very close (team) and we’re good at soccer,” said Julia Call, who scored three times during the Lincoln game.

The reason the team has no designated goalie is the goalie for this age group is playing on a travel team and attends Jordan-Small School in Raymond and does not play on the Windham team during the school season.

This unusual situation hasn’t phased the members of this supportive and skilled Windham team. In six games they’ve had 11 goalies, and all the girls understand they need to step up and help out to do what is needed to win.

In the six games, Windham has outscored their opponents 27-0.

What led to their success over Lincoln was everyone chipping in and working together. During that game, in addition to Call, Raegan Magee, Gwen Cabana and Addie McPherson all had goals – plus Lincoln scored on their own goal.

“Not being a selfish player (is important) because everyone has a part in how we get to the other side of the field,” said WMS seventh grade girls’ soccer captain Mila Richards.

At the beginning of the season, they thought not having a goalie was going to be a struggle. But many members of this team have played together for a while and the team has a stacked defense; everyone learned to adapt.

“We have 22 girls who are strongly dedicated to this sport,” said Talon. “Most of them play travel soccer through Windham Youth Soccer Association and some girls play on local premier teams. The girls all attend practice and they work hard to get better each day. We emphasize doing things the correct way. Most of these girls have never played goalie. I think some were excited for the opportunity, and also a little nervous. Our defense has done an amazing job supporting our goalies each game.”

According to WMS seventh grade girls’ soccer captain Alexis Woodcock, it’s the teamwork, working outside the soccer team to establish good relationships with one another, which helps them communicate.

“Scoring goals on your own is good, (but) be excited for other people to have goals,” said WMS seventh grade girls’ soccer captain Gianna Falcone.

While the team definitely wants to keep their undefeated streak up and not let any goals in, they rarely talk about the score and focus more on the following objectives: to get better each day, represent the community well, compete to the best of their abilities and have fun. <