The Girls’ Varsity Soccer team saw consistent success throughout their season, and ended their run as the runners-up in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class D finals. This adds to their record of having now been in eight out of the nine previous NEPSAC Class D finals. Entering the tournament as the number one seed in Class D, it was a tough 3-4 loss to number two seed Lexington Christian Academy (MA), but it did not diminish the spirit of the team and months of hard work they put in. Their 9-0 win against Kents Hill School (ME) in the quarterfinals and 6-3 win against Hoosac School (NY) in the semifinals showed their talent and grit as a team.

Head Coach Sarah Natvig shared that the positive energy on the team was a big factor in their ability to reach the heights they did. “Every player on the team this year was naturally positive, and it was actually the most consistent positivity I have ever experienced during a sports season,” she said. Sarah also noted that her coaching philosophy is all about growth, something she witnessed both in her players’ skills and in their mentalities throughout the fall. “A big part of being an athlete is experiencing mental growth,” she stated. “As a coach, you can teach them the skills and teach them the game, but if they have the mental capacity to absorb all of it and excel in that mental space, the skills will follow.” She is proud of the team this year not only for their personal development, but the support all of the players gave one another.

Our Boys’ Varsity Soccer team finished their season by reclaiming their title as NEPSAC Class C Champions. As the number one seed in Class C, they defeated the number two seed Portsmouth Abbey School (RI) with a 5-0 victory. Their road to the championship started with a 3-0 win against The Wheeler School (RI) in the quarterfinals and continued with a 4-2 win against Greens Farms Academy (CT) in the semifinals. 

“Having the same core group of players as last year was very important to the team’s success,” said Head Coach Adrian Diaz ’14. “The returning players were able to teach our great new additions what VA is all about, making it easier to get the whole team on the same wavelength.” Adrian agrees that the level of mental energy a player puts into a game is just as, if not more, important than the physical skills they bring to the field. “I hope the players learned that anything is possible if you put 100% effort into each minute of the game and each practice,” he shared. “As soon as they start getting arrogant, the other team can beat them.” Thankfully, looking at their victory this season, the players put in their all on and off the field throughout the entire fall. 

Congratulations to the players and coaches for yet another exceptional season of soccer. Go VA!