Parkdale’s Girls soccer team has opened the season with a new head varsity coach, Rebecca Bethea and so far, it seems that the change is for the better as the program is seeming to prosper more than years prior. With a recent win in their playoff game against Duval 2-1 who we previously lost to.
Both coaches have had a past with the Parkdale soccer team, with Coach Bethdea having coached the team in the past before COVID, her team went on to win the 2021 regional championship
With that past experience, it is hopeful that this team can prosper under her leadership.
There have been new and returning players who seem to be leading the team into a positive future, especially under the leadership of their captains.
One of the varsity captains is junior Lucy Saldana who has been a varsity starter since her freshman year. Saldana explains, “Since the new coach the team chemistry has changed dramatically.” She then adds, “We have much better communication and understanding with each other and the coach.”
Another varsity captain is senior Ellen Morrell who also has been a varsity starter since her freshman year. Morrell says “I’m very excited to be a captain this year, especially with the potential this team has.” She then eagerly expresses, “I’m glad that I get to play my last season with good coaches and supportive teammates.”
Throughout the season, the team had shown strong promise. They have won against teams that they have lost to in previous years like Duval High School. Their record for the regular season amounts to 6 wins and 5 losses.
The program not only has grown skill wise but also in numbers with having many girls both on their varsity and junior varsity teams, allowing the team to get more traction.
In the playoffs, the team was able to beat Duval High School 2-1, allowing the team to go into the semi-finals. However, the team ended their season with a loss to Flowers in the semi-finals, 3-1.
Although ending in a loss, the team’s promise seems to continue to grow onto their next season, continuing to grow both off and on field. As Morrell puts it, “Our team is much more positive this year, instead of everyone being on their own, we are more like one team.”
Game Stats:
9/9 Northwestern: W 4-2
9/12 Eleanor Roosevelt: L 0-5
9/16 Bladensburg: W 1-0
9/19 High Point: W 3-1
9/23 Suitland: W 7-0
9/26 Wise: L 1-2
9/30 Bowie: L 0-1
10/7 Duval: W 1-0
10/10 Flowers: L 0-3
10/14 Gwynn Park: W 1-0
10/17 Laurel: L 0-2
10/23 Duval W 1-0
10/25 Flowers L 3-1
