Sheily Ramirez ’28
Nov 14, 2025
Last Thursday, the varsity girls soccer team poured sweat, tears, collaboration, and hard work into their final Commonwealth Cup game against the Hill School under the lights. The girls were ready to leave it all on the field in their final game of the season. The game ended in a close 1–0 loss for Storm players.
Alice Morgan ’26 said, “There was a lot of pressure because we had already lost against Hill this season, and we had worked hard to get to play them again, having to beat other teams to get there.”
The matchup was intense from the start, but despite Hill’s early pressure, the Storm stayed strong, goalkeeper Annie Mohr ’26 keeping the team in the match with several key saves. “It felt good, even though the outcome wasn’t what we wanted,” Mohr said.
Head coach Kristen Pixler added, “We played well against a very evenly matched team. We had an unfortunate bobble and miscommunication that led to Hill getting on the board.” Assistant coach Nabil Alami added, “I felt the girls gave everything on the pitch. They really went the extra mile. It was very close in the score; it could’ve gone either way.”
Throughout the game, the team’s unity and effort stood out. “The team put a lot of heart and effort into this game; we never gave up or turned on each other,” said Lilly Killinger ’26. Even when they fell behind, the energy on the field and in the stands remained high. “The crowd was really energetic, which definitely gave us a lot of energy,” Mohr added.
The team’s improvement shone in this performance. “At the beginning of the season, there was a lot more selfish play, but over time we’ve gotten a lot stronger,” said Grace Himes ’28. Pixler stated, “This group really understands the game. Their tactical skill and communication are the areas of biggest growth.”
Still, the season did not remain free from challenges. “There were a lot of injuries this season, especially for our attacking players, but I think we did a good job compensating for that,” explained Emily Wallace ’29. Mohr said, “We were an underdog team for a lot of the season, so that was a challenge, but we’ve made a good record this year.”
Despite the setbacks, the team’s chemistry only strengthened. Killinger said, “Favorite memory from this season was when last year we beat Lawrenceville 1–0. They said it was a fluke, and then this year we drove out to Lawrenceville and beat them again, two to one. It was really exciting to show that it wasn’t a fluke, that we really are a great team.”
Coach Alami reflected on the team’s progress, saying, “From week one to last week, they’ve been tremendous. They’ve improved their transitions, passes, shots, corners, and free kicks.” Pixler credited the senior class for shaping the team. “They remember that we play the game of soccer and that no matter how badly you want to win, your integrity and quality of character come first,” she said.
Although the game ended in a tight loss, it was a night to remember. As Morgan put it, “Everyone was in tears, even people I hadn’t seen cry. It was really emotional.” This game marked the end of a meaningful chapter for the team.