On Saturday, October 25, the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team defeated the reigning NEPSAC champion Worcester Academy in a tight 3-2 match. Worcester Academy has long been known as one of the toughest opponents in the league for their connection and discipline, acting as a tough competitor to any opposing team. Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team goalkeeper Charlotte Banbury ‘26 noted that Worcester “[is] a really strong team technically and tactically;” however, she notes, Wolfpack previously “failed to follow through with what [they] set [themselves] to accomplish.”
Banbury recalled that they had spent a few practices “refocusing [their] strategies towards Worcester,” vocalizing “what [they] wanted to play the next day,” and “communicating how [they] would accomplish [their] goals.” Ellen Robbins ‘28 added that the team’s preparation extended beyond the pitch and into a classroom where they “went over Worcester’s lineup and how they played as a team,” so that they could “be ready for whatever [Worcester] did on the field.” These focused sessions proved to be critical in Wolfpack’s victory.
On game day, Worcester was as difficult an opponent as the players had expected. Banbury stated that they were “a much bigger and [more] physical team” than Wolfpack. In addition, Gaby Miller ‘27 recognized that the team “[had] not had a game as tough as this one.” Yet, their preparation for the game really began to show the moment they stepped onto the pitch. As Ilona Chisholm ‘28 stated, it was a “tough battle,” but they were able to “[stick] with it the whole way through.” Miller added that the team “played especially well together.”
The team highlighted Siun Salmon ‘27 for scoring the opening goal early in the first half, with Robbins saying that it “[gave them the] energy [and] excitement” to carry on the difficult match. Miller added that Salmon’s goal “gave them a lot of confidence and set the tone for the match.” Robbins herself scored her first Milton career goal shortly after Salmon’s opener.
With only 10 minutes left, Worcester fought back fiercely, demonstrating the grit that had made them champions last year. The score tightened to 3-2 in the closing minutes; making the team, as Robbins stated, “[decide] to play more defensively.”
This win marks a step closer to making the playoffs, and, according to Robbins, sends a message of Wolfpack as a team of grit, determination, and confidence. “Beating Worcester and beating St. George’s a few days ago,” she says, meant that the team is now “6th in NEPSAC, giving [them] a great opportunity to make the playoffs.” Banbury adds that “beating Worcester rekindled [the] team's fire,” “[built] confidence,” and “put [them] in a great position to secure a post-season spot.” Miller stated that this game has shown other schools in the league that Wolfpack is “a team that people should be scared of.”