It was a crazy ride for the Girls’ Soccer Team. Following the 2019-20 season, which set records in its own right, the team faced high expectations at the start of 2020.  No one today can doubt that the team rose above and performed beyond the challenges.

Throughout the season, the girls were dominant, ultimately defeating Butler with a score of 2-1,  in double overtime for their second straight WPIAL title.

Senior striker Ellie Wrigley, who suffered an ankle injury during the first game of the season, lost none of her enthusiasm for the team.

“It was a very enjoyable despite the craziness of the year,” Wrigley said. “I am grateful that we were still able to have fans. The only big change is we had to sit six feet apart on the benches, which wasn’t fun.”

Wrigley was able to watch up close as the girls repeated a WPIAL championship season.

“I’m so proud of the team for making it to WPIALs, especially it being the second year in a row,” she said. “It feels amazing to have that title and knowing how hard and long we worked for it.”

As the post-season progressed into the state tournament, senior center back and captain Tulasi Syamala felt reinforced confidence in her team’s potential.

“The plan was just to keep doing what we were doing,” Symala said. “We came into every game ready and with a desire to win no matter what.”

For Symala, the team’s central strength was its unbreakable bond.

“Every single person on the field wants to come off a winner, and that is what makes a winning team,” she said. “We feel very tight-knit and united. We’ve gotten a lot closer because of COVID because we feel more comfortable hanging out with each other rather than people outside of the team.”

Last Saturday, the girls made history, appearing in their first PIAA Championship game in program history. They faced the Pennridge Rams at Hersheypark Stadium.

“Both teams played different formations, leaving space in the middle for either team to win,” said senior goalie Julianna Werner. “However, both teams played their hearts out to win every ball.”

Werner continued, “Junior Megan Miller, the main goalkeeper of the game, had amazing saves throughout. Our defense pushed through the pain by stopping most of the other team’s runs before they could even shoot. The midfielders used the speed of their offensive to attack the other team’s defense.”

With neither team scoring in regulation time, the game went into double overtime.

“At this point, everyone was exhausted,” Werner said. “But through the sore muscles, turf burn, and heavy breathing from exhaustion, NA refused to give up.”

Midway through the second overtime, an outside midfielder for Pennridge carried the ball towards the middle and took a shot that landed in the net. The game was suddenly over, with NA on the losing side of razor-thin 1-0 title match. 

But Werner could not have been prouder for her teammates.

“It was then we saw what NA was — not losers, but a support system for every player who committed to that moment,” she said. “That is what I’m most proud of, our ability to support each other and regroup stronger.”