It’s 6:30 PM and the members of the Enloe women’s soccer team are huddled together on the field.
“SKO EAGS ON THREE… One, two, three, SKO EAGS!”
With an energetic cheer, the players run to their places, ready to give the game their all. As the timer counts up to eighty minutes, players call out to each other: “Watch the middle!” “Come in front!” “Stay with me!” Under the pink and purple sky, whistles blow, flags wave, and cleats pound against the ground—these athletes aren’t holding anything back.
Soccer may not be as quintessentially American as football or baseball, but if you watch the players in action, it’s clear how it became the world’s most popular sport. With straightforward gameplay and constant movement, soccer is enjoyable for enthusiasts and newcomers alike, and Enloe’s teams are no exception.
What’s the secret to building a successful team? It turns out that there isn’t one correct answer. Junior Lucy Bharwani claims it’s a sense of community. For sophomore Autumn Wall, positivity is what matters most. And Mia Craner, senior and varsity co-captain, attests to the importance of team chemistry: “When you’re having fun, you’re almost guaranteed to play better because you’re enjoying it and you want to be out on the field.”
If you’re wondering whether these traits describe this year’s teams, the proof is in the pudding. With a combined eleven wins between varsity and junior varsity, this season is one to be proud of. Plus, there’s more to success than the score at the end of the game. At the beginning of the season, Enloe battled some of the region’s highest-ranked teams in what Craner describes as “the hardest non-conference schedule in the state.” Many of the games have had very close outcomes, with differences of a single point, testifying to the team’s ability to hold their ground against strong opponents. A loss against a strong team often involves more effort than a win against a weaker team, a factor that can’t be understood just by looking at a win-loss record. Craner continues, “We have so much to prove now because those scores do not at all reflect the team that we have.”
Another crucial factor is leadership, specifically from the team captains: Meghan Henderlite, Francesca Montalvo, and the aforementioned Mia Craner. The captains organize workouts, coordinate with the coaches, and plan practices. Bharwani explains, “They really help motivate the team and they help with… being supportive and keeping everyone focused and keeping us moving towards our goals. They’re all great captains, all great leaders, they’re all valuable members of the team… They’re good at being a strong presence on the field and verbally communicating with people and helping direct [us].”
The season kicked off with a showcase in Wilmington, which the team participates in every year. When rain interfered with the scheduled games, the players refused to have their spirits dampened—instead, they scrimmaged one of the schools, had a game night, and went to the beach. Even when circumstances don’t go as planned, the women’s soccer mindset is to persevere and make the best out of every situation. The team also participated in the Brittany Soccer Showcase, held each year in honor of Brittany Willis, a teenage soccer player who was tragically killed. More than eighty women’s teams from across North Carolina come to Wilson to attend this meaningful event, which also includes safety education. Wall was proud of the team’s performance, saying, “We connected so well… Everyone was working hard for each other.”
The team has played especially strongly in recent games. The game against Broughton was tied after eighty minutes, putting them into overtime. Enloe quickly pulled ahead, scoring two goals in the first three minutes and seizing the victory. According to Craner, this was the first time Enloe women’s soccer had beaten Broughton at an away game in over a decade. The Leesville game was also a highlight, with almost complete possession in the last twenty minutes of the game. The team has a good chance of making it to the playoffs, Craner believes: “I genuinely think we’ve gone really far this year based off of who we have [on our team] and how we’re playing. It’s only getting better from here.”
Although varsity teams often claim the spotlight, the junior varsity team is also deserving of recognition. With four sophomores and twelve freshmen, most of the members had never played together before this season. Despite some initial struggles, sophomore Carmen Myers says that the team has significantly improved in their confidence, communication, and team chemistry. These traits are key for being able to play effectively: “If you have a bunch of good players but they don’t really work well together, it’s not going to end well… You have to understand what another person is trying to do and try to help them accomplish that.” With sixteen players compared to varsity’s twenty-two, Myers describes the team as “tight-knit” and “a good community.” The two teams also usually practice together, which Craner says is “fun and beneficial for both teams.” She elaborates, “It’s a great chance for JV to be able to play at [the] level that they’re expected to be at next year, which is varsity, or years in the future… I always look forward to those practices.”
Supporting women’s soccer is easy to do: show up to the games! There is also an ongoing fundraiser to repair Enloe’s playing fields, which you can donate to here. Craner says attendance means a lot to the players, explaining, “It really helps having people in the stands… Come out and support, because having people there gives [us] that extra drive to work harder and be better.”
