Despite being perhaps the most “chill” team in Redwood sports, the girls’ varsity soccer team won the MCAL championship, defeating Marin Catholic 2-1 last Friday in the championship game of the playoffs, with a late goal by Ali Pieri breaking the tie.
“We are just a little more chill than other sports,” said co-captain Olivia Konttinen, whose 14 goals in the regular season were second most in the league. “But at the same time we get work done.”
Konttinen said that the team’s head coach Mattias Kodzoman is the reason for the laid-back environment, proving that a less stressful and more fun atmosphere can also be successful.
“Everyone really loves Mattias. He is easygoing and it contributes to the whole atmosphere of the team,” she said. “It’s easygoing and comfortable.”
While most sports teams at the school practice five to six days a week, the girls’ varsity soccer team only practices four days a week. They also didn’t hold practices during Spring Break or February Break.
Although their practices may be more relaxed, the players make up for that during the games.
“When it’s game time, it’s game time. We are there to play and give it all we have,” Konttinen said.
The players definitely gave it their all on April 30, when they defeated previously undefeated Marin Catholic 2-1, with goals from Ali Pieri and Ruby Josehart. They finished the regular season in second place, with a record of 11-1-1.
Konttinen said that another big reason for the team’s success this year is improvement by their offensive players.
“We have done a lot better this year with scoring than I expected,” she said. “Last year we wouldn’t score at all against harder teams.”
This year, they scored two goals against first place MC, and four goals against third place Tam.
Although the offense and forwards have been strong in scoring 31 goals, the second-highest in the league, Konttinen said that the team has been well balanced. “It’s not just one position or player, it’s a collective effort,” she said.
The defense has been lead by co-captain Maddie Bailey and junior Maddie Neukranz, while the midfield has been led by sophomore Lauren Kuchman, and juniors Chace Schornstein, and Sally Elton.
Freshman goalkeeper Mia Glen-Schuster has been one of the top goaltenders in the league with seven shutouts, the third- most in the league.
Coach Kodzoman was not available for comment.
The team played their first MCAL playoff game last Wednesday, after a round one bye. They beat Drake 1-0, with the one goal coming from Konttinen.
Glen-Schuster had another shutout in the winning effort.
Redwood began play in NCS this week.
