Wanna see a big chip on a shoulder? Check out the Newsome High girls soccer team.
A team playing in their second-straight state semifinals, playing with a lot of anger. And a win away from the program's second state championship game appearance.
“They definitely play together and they have a great deal of chemistry on the field and off the field," Newsome head coach Kelly Townsend said. "So, another run, another chance and hopefully we can lock it in.”
Newsome plays an angry style of game. Remember that chip? A one-goal loss in last year’s state semifinals fuels that madness.
“Since that night, it’s been stuck in my head for the longest time," senior Lauren Evans said. "And I’ve been ready for Newsome soccer to come back and taking that in the game on Friday, I think it will bother us the whole game and we’ll want to come out with a win.”
“The anger just really shows on the field, I feel," senior Madison Rowe said. "It really just drives us to get the ball in that net, hopefully not our net.”
Bolstered by an extra tough schedule and a penalty kicks win in the region finals, Newsome’s confidence gives them an edge.
Then there’s this intangible – team chemistry. A tight bond off the field translates to something special on it.
“It’s more than just a team, it’s a family,” Evans said.
“We definitely love each other," Rowe said. "We have a group text going non-stop, so we’re always talking. When we see each other at school, we walk in the hallways, so it’s just awesome to have that kind of safety net also.”
Friday night, Newsome hosts the No. 3 team in the nation and defending state champs Oviedo. A more passive team might be intimidated. Not these Wolves.
“The resilience that they have to keep on fighting til that last whistle, is unbelievable," Townsend said. "And you can just see it in their eyes when they step on that field that they’re going after it.”