On Friday September 5th, the Girls' Varsity Soccer team kicked off their season with a scrimmage against Loomis Chaffee, ending in a 3-3 tie. Five days later, they faced Austin Prep at home which ended in a tie as well.
The game against Loomis provided challenging circumstances, including the long bus ride and the task of opening the season on the road. Varsity Soccer Coach Rachael Abernethy noted that “the energy and communication were good.” She also emphasized the skills of the team while they adjusted together: “[They shifted] together, [defended] together, and [stepped] together.” Abernethy utilized a strategy by which she “substituted often to make sure that [they] always [had] fresh legs on the field.”
Ellen Robbins ‘28 highlighted some of the key players on the team: Captains Chloe DiAdamo ‘26 and Larissa Rubiez ‘26, “use their voices and command the field,” and they also “bring the energy” to the team. Siun Salmon ‘27 was also a notable player, scoring a hat trick. Salmon commented that “it wouldn’t have been possible without all the hustle from the team trying to get the ball up the field.” Abernethy also noted the balance and dynamic between the underclassmen and the upperclassmen on the team, saying that “the freshmen class made a big impact in our first game, but the experience and understanding of our culture carried by the older players makes our team special.”
The Girls' Soccer team followed up the game against Loomis with a 1-1 tie against Austin Prep. Salmon mentioned goalie Charlie Banbury ‘26 and how she is "awesome" as a communicator and "focused" in goal. Gaby Miller ‘27 noted that Ellie Apfel ‘29 was “into the game,” continuing that Apfel is “going to be one of the best soccer players at Milton.” Moreover Miller stated that “Siun’s ability to move off the ball and intelligence of the ball was on point.”
The team came up just short of a championship last year, losing in the first round of the NEPSAC playoffs. This year, Robbins says “[they] are shooting for the championship.” Abernethy is more focused on playing the game the right way by “creating a positive experience, playing beautiful soccer, and being [their] best selves.” She plans to achieve these goals by staying true to the team's values and working together, both on and off the field.