While school is just getting underway, the Girls’ Soccer program has been working hard since mid-July through events such as scrimmages, captains’ practices, and tryouts. Organized by this year’s captains, Sabina Peterson Rajalingam ‘25, Sofia Wyatt ‘25, and Naima Michael-Crushshon ‘25, these events allow fall athletes to get in some extra training and meet new people in the program before the season starts.

Peterson Rajalingam stated that the captain’s practices were “a really positive environment. Everybody was having fun while also getting work done, and it was great to see a lot of girls there.” This year, Girls’ Soccer expanded to include a third high school-level team as a way to provide more playing time and one-on-one coaching for players. This second JV team is reflective of the growing interest in Girls’ Soccer, not just at Blake, but worldwide.

Wyatt, a two-time captain, also noted the growth of the program over the years. “I think Blake Girls’ Soccer right now is the strongest that it’s been for a really long time, and you can definitely feel that in the energy of the team.” Although they graduated nine seniors last season, both captains agreed that they felt like the team chemistry going into the season was strong already. In the preseason, the varsity team gathered together for events such as team meals and even a team sleepover. Additionally, the program-wide summer camp and banquet allowed for players of all teams to get to know each other.

The team has a lot of drive going into the season after coming up just short in the section finals against eventual state champion Benilde St-Margaret’s last season. While Peterson Rajalingam and Wyatt agreed that rivalry games are always fun, Wyatt expressed the team’s desire to compete for a state title this year, saying, “Our ultimate goal is to end up playing in U.S. Bank Stadium.”