This year, once again, Country Day has a major sports achievement to celebrate regarding our women’s soccer team.
The CCDS girls soccer team was 22-2-0 this season and won the state championship for the second year in a row, and for the fourth time in the past six years. They won the state championship game 1-0, scoring just 20 minutes into the first half. The game’s only goal came from Megan Zimmerman off a cross from her sister, Elizabeth Zimmerman. The team’s defense, (Sam Easter, Melissa Teke, Sydney Hardesty, and Alyssa Easter) managed to allow zero goals to be scored on Country Day for the entire post season for both this year and last year. In addition, Elizabeth Zimmerman received the Division Three Player of the Year award for Southwest Ohio. To recognize the hard work put in to achieve such great things, I spoke with Elizabeth, Hirsch, and some underclassmen about their experience being on this incredible team.
“There is no better way to end a season and for the seniors: Our last high school game on a win with two state titles,” Elizabeth remarked. “Coach Hirsh has been an amazing coach to the seniors these last four years. She pushes us when we need to be pushed and supports us on and off the field for soccer, college, or anything else.” She stated that the dedication, time, and effort Coach Hirsch puts into the soccer program “is a true testament to her care for all the players and the community.” In addition to Hirsch, Elizabeth says that “Brittney, Brandt, and Olivia all spent hours driving to scout other teams, watching film, and set up and run practices. The women’s soccer team is so lucky and fortunate to have them as our coaches.” At this point, Elizabeth made a comment similar to ones I had seen from the underclassmen on the team. “The bonds created
with girls on the team create a sisterhood and have given me some of the best friendships, whether it’s with people in my grade or freshmen who were new this year. This season was so much fun, and I have some of the best memories that I will cherish forever.” Finally, she left me with this parting comment: “CCDS women’s soccer has given me another family and it is truly a special program to be a part of. I am grateful to have had the amazing four years and I will miss it so much!”
As I mentioned, Elizabeth was not the only person who remarked on the bonds created on the soccer team. I spoke to sophomores Giuliana Haury and Noor Elkasaby about what it was like to be freshmen, then sophomores, on the soccer team which won both years. Both girls commented on the fact that this year’s team brought a noticeably different feeling than last year. “I feel like it was different last year and this year at state,” Noor mentioned. “It just felt better.” Giuliana explained further: “I feel like this year we had a better team energy that was more bonded and close.” Noor then closed out the conversation. “It’s just really fun to be able to play with really good people and win both years.”
Finally, I asked Hirsch if there were any coaching strategies or team rituals that have brought the girls so much success. She replied with, “The Soccer team is a Sisterhood…and one family. We spend lots of time talking about this. The past players laid the foundation for all our success–and the current players will hand it off the future. The leadership from the seniors was a HUGE piece of our success.” There’s no secret ingredient, (although I do think Hirsch is a bigger part in the success than she would like to admit as a very humble person,) they simply work as a team. The CCDS girls’ soccer team is a family that has achieved incredible things over the past few years. Congratulations on being back to back state champions, and good luck to the team for next year!