High school tryouts for the Wildcats’ girls’ soccer team are currently underway, and soon the teams will be finalized. For many freshmen, joining the Blue Springs High School soccer program is a highly anticipated goal at the start of the year. The tryouts are for three teams: C Team, Junior Varsity, and Varsity. While all the girls are competing for a spot, there are no cuts, and the teams are typically made up of 18 players.

Over the past few years, the soccer program has shown significant improvement. Varsity competes in District 4, Class 6, which is considered the toughest conference in Missouri. The conference includes some of the best players from local clubs who compete at a high level before entering high school soccer. In the 2023-2024 season, the varsity team finished with a 9-10 record, marking their strongest season in decades.

Coach Balistreri is optimistic about the future and plans to build on last season’s success. “We have strong returners and incoming players,” he said, adding that his goal for this season is to be more competitive in conference games, acknowledging the challenge of playing in the hardest conference in the state.

Senior and team captain Hazel Trotman, is setting ambitious goals for the upcoming season. “I want to score more than 10 goals this year,” she shared. One of her favorite memories from her time on the team was “beating South at their place. Before that game, South was undefeated and ranked #1 in the state.” Hazel, who has been on varsity since her freshman year, also recalls the special experience of playing alongside her older sister for three years. As a leader on the team, Hazel serves as an inspiring figure for the incoming freshmen.

For many players, the hardest part of high school soccer is when the season unexpectedly ends, often on a random Thursday. Adley Short, who is expected to be the varsity team’s future captain, expressed excitement about improving team chemistry. “I’m excited to learn how to play better together as a team,” she said. She hopes to be both a good leader and a valuable team player, helping the team achieve more victories.

Playing a sport in high school is a unique experience. It allows players to form strong connections with others and build lasting friendships while doing something they love. However, it’s not always as easy as it seems. Like most high school sports, there’s an inevitable end to the journey. After four years, the memories remain, but the experience will be over. That’s why it’s important to savor every moment because time flies faster than you realize.