On Mar. 11, East varsity girls soccer started their season off strong with a win in their first game of the season. 

Leading into the first game, head coach Juan Leal wanted to use the game to gauge where the team was at. 

“We want to come out and win so that we can start the season off on a good note, but obviously if things don’t go the way we want, we can use it as a good stepping stone for our next game,” Leal said. 

Leal added who he thought would be the standout players in their first game and throughout the season.

“Kailey Smith is new to varsity, so she will hopefully come out and do what we want her to do . . . Anya Gulbrandsen and Riley Gumm are the two right now who are really going to help us get into winning,” Leal said. 

The team ended up winning with a score of 2-1 against Whitney Young.

Anya Gulbrandsen, a University of Wisconsin commit, scored both goals, with Riley Gumm, a San Diego State commit, who assisted both. 

After the game, Gumm felt that there were positive takeaways. 

“I think we have a really good team this year. I think the chemistry on and off the field is really good. I think the backline, the middle, and our forwards are all very strong and work together well,” Gumm said. 

Gulbrandsen echoed Gumm’s thoughts.

“I think we played really good for our first game with the bad conditions . . . The first half we were against the wind so it was hard for us to play the best we could, but despite the circumstances, I think we played really good,” Gulbrandsen said. 

Gumm also commented on what could be improved and the team’s goals for the season.

“I think our fitness level could definitely be better but as the season progresses- the more we play together- the more it will improve,” Gumm said. “We have two conference championships and then we have one regional. Obviously, I think after that you want a sectional. This year we’re definitely chasing that sectional and further.” 

Coach Leal shared his outlook of the season after the game.

“Our fitness needs to be a little bit better, but we got a good preview of what we’re capable of doing. We got to see Anya score a couple of goals and our goalie did really well . . . We don’t need to change anything. It was the first game, so there’s no need to hit the panic button now,” Leal said. 

The next game the East varsity girls soccer team is slated to play is Mar. 13 against Payton College Prep.

Katelin Hong, Zachary Barnes, and Alessandra Di Paolo, and Aiden Moriarty are staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.