by Claire Cutting

Bellbrook women’s soccer kicked off this season winning four games in the Southwestern Buckeye League (SWBL), and eight games overall. Behind the victories, there is a team with one big goal: state champions.

“We always want to win state,” senior Julia Fleck said. “It’s always a long-term goal for us as a team.”

Four-year varsity goalie, Jordan Frantz, agrees with Fleck. “No team in Bellbrook has ever won state,” Frantz said. “Knowing our record over the past couple of years, I think it’s possible.”

“We want to make a statement that even a small school like Bellbrook can achieve big things,” senior and center midfielder Caitlyn Hansen said. Hansen also is in her fourth year on the varsity team. 

The athletes are also setting goals for themselves as individuals. “A personal goal for myself is to better my leadership skills on and off the field,” Frantz said. “If I’m a better leader on the field, the team will be better overall because we have good communication.”

Between hours of practice every day, scrimmages, and games, the players on the team put in the time to refine their skills. “I practice every day, by myself, and with the team,” Fleck said. “My teammates help me improve the most though, because they push me to be better.”

The hours of practice are combined with tough competition to improve the team. “Every practice is a competition,” Frantz said. “And scrimmages are always against hard teams. Every day we get better because we don’t take it easy.”

Through the challenging schedule, the team relies on each other for support. “They are always encouraging me to keep taking shots, and pushing me to be my best,” Hansen said.

Two of the players on the team are already committed to play at the next level. Frantz is headed to Wright State University, a Division 1 school. “I was really excited to commit,” Frantz said. “I know the players on my team will be more involved and more committed to the sport, and I’m excited to compete against higher-level athletes and teams.” 

Hansen is committed to Indiana University Indianapolis, another D1 school. “It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” Hansen said. “The recruiting process has been a long journey, with a lot of ups and downs, but I am beyond excited to take my next steps as a collegiate athlete.”

The players are all looking forward to what this season will bring, and living out their dreams in the process.  

“I get the opportunity to live out my childhood dreams,” Hansen said. “And what could be better than that?”