By Daniela Martinez Moran
Practice makes perfect and these girls knew that even with a perfect team, the grind doesn’t stop. Starting the season without almost seven of the Varsity girls they had last year, the team managed to keep a decent record. Losing their senior players did not stop the girls from wanting to take more wins!
Captains, Haylee Hernandez, Jennifer Calixto, Nathalie Hernandez, and Jenny Bonilla all were leaders to both the JV and Varsity players, during camp, pre-season, and season.
It is senior Haylee Hernandez’s last year playing, and she stated, “Our best game was against Clifton. Even with a loss we didn’t give up, because playing our heart out until the last minute is what a team does.”
With both seniors Jackie Lopez and Haylee Hernandez leaving, the girls wanted them to leave with a smile on their face.
In fact, the team won against Mary Help of Christians, 2-1, with goals scored by Senior Jackie Lopez, and captain Jennifer Calixto. She stated “This year we improved and we really bonded as a team.”
These girls have displayed outstanding dedication to their sport, practice after practice, and game after game. Coaches Moogan and Cardillo both strive to make the team better year after year. All of the love and dedication they give these girls is tremendously admirable.
Jenny Bonilla shares her thoughts on her sophomore season: “I not only created a bond with these girls on the field but outside the field as well, and I’m very grateful for that.”
One of the girls’ best games was against their first-ever meeting against Weehawken. Not knowing much about them, they all kept their faith in taking that win. They all hustled through it and freshman Marlene Hernandez scored the game-winning goal.
Passaic High School Girls Soccer’s top scorer for all three years and captain, Jennifer Calixto has seen how much the team has improved and grown.
Calixto stated, “It doesn’t take one, two, or three people to lead this team, it takes the whole team putting in all their hard work. Everyday is a chance to get better.”
With an overall record of 6-12, these girls managed to grow and learn from their losses and bond as a team. With only two players down next year, we hope to see the rest of these amazing girls back in action for another amazing season!
