Ally Snyder '28
Sep 19, 2025
Last Friday, September 12, the Mercersburg Academy varsity girls’ soccer team battled Gerstell Academy in a high-energy matchup. The game stretched into the night, marking the team’s first home game of the season beneath the warm glow of the new lights of Regents Field. Though the evening ended in a narrow 2–1 loss, the players and coaches walked away with pride in their performance.
Team captain Lily Killinger ’26 reflected, “Honestly, that first half might have been the best soccer I’ve seen the girls’ team play in my four years here. I think we played really well.” Fellow senior Alice Morgan ’26 echoed the sentiment: “Especially in the first half, it was one of our best games, probably our best this season. Even though we lost, I feel like we did a lot of what we’ve been working on in practice.” Jessica Dang ’27 also praised the team’s effort: “We were connecting passes, communicating, and really moving as a unit. Even when things didn’t go our way, we didn’t let it take us out of the game.”
The night’s atmosphere added to the excitement. Head coach Kristin Pixler explained, “It felt really special to come out and play under the lights in front of the school.” Killinger agreed: “There was a lot of energy. Having it under the lights brought out a big crowd, which energized us and allowed us to play at our best.”
The energy came not just from the lights but also from the fans, many of whom dressed head-to-toe in white for the game’s “white out” theme. Michelle Zhang ’28 noted, “We had a lot of support from our community. We fed off the energy of the crowd.” Jessica Dang ’27 added, “I’ve never seen the student section that loud for a girls soccer game before. It felt like the whole school was behind the team.” Killinger agreed, “Looking over and seeing a sea of white was so fun… it was like the lights were illuminating the crowd.”
That strong connection between players and supporters reflects the team’s own sense of balance on the field. “During practice we’re having fun, chatting, getting along, but we’re also taking it seriously,” said Morgan. “It’s a good balance of enjoying each other’s company while understanding that we need to work together; it’s a team effort.”
Coach Pixler praised her senior leaders for setting that tone: “We have incredible leadership with our seniors. Adrienne [Howard ’26] and Lilly in the back add so much strength, physicality, and composure, while Annie [Mohr ’26] sees the field in an incredible way. She’s like having a coach on the field.”
Looking ahead, the team is eager for the challenges to come. “I’m really excited for our MAPL games, because we haven’t had one yet,” Morgan said. “It’s going to be a big test of our skills and teamwork.” Killinger added, “I think people should just keep showing up, not just for girls’ soccer, but for every sport. The energy we had tonight is something that should be brought to every game.”