The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School varsity women’s soccer team won 2–1 in a record-breaking game against St. Thomas Aquinas High School on Thursday, Jan. 16. Last year, the Eagles beat St. Thomas for the first time in 25 years, so they felt a lot of pressure going into this game.
“Because of today’s win, we beat St. Thomas for the second year in a row after 25 years, which is crazy,” defender Madysen Filsaime (18) said. “This is the best game of our lives.”
The game began at 5:30 p.m., and at the start, St. Thomas primarily had possession of the ball. A few shots were made for the goal, with one promising shot by striker Breanna Gordon (22). Soon after, winger Alexa Jourdan (6) scored on a penalty kick, giving the Eagles an early lead.
After the first goal, the game became more equally matched, and both teams were fighting for possession of the ball. Towards the end of the first quarter, St. Thomas’ Sophie Barnes (9) scored on a penalty kick. The first quarter ended in a 1–1 tie.
“I think we played amazing this time. It was super hot,” forward Jacqueline DeStefano (23) said. “Everyone was connecting good and we kind of took our last game tie to heart and we really wanted to beat this team.”
The beginning of the second quarter started right where things left off: in a constant battle for the ball. Then, Gordon took a shot at the goal and scored, putting the Eagles back in the lead.
“I feel very relieved,” Gordon said. “I think us, as a team effort, did really well, and I couldn’t have done it without my team.”
For the rest of the match, St. Thomas was fighting to tie the game and took many shots at the goal. Still, the Eagles continued to defend their goal successfully until the clock ran out.
“I think we actually did well today, cause we were staying low and we were not rushing,” Filsaime said. “We held it down.”
The Eagles were overjoyed that their last game of the season ended in a victory, and especially thrilled that it was against the previously undefeated St. Thomas. They are committed to continuing this streak into next year, hoping to defeat them for the third year in a row.
