For lots of girls, varsity soccer is an adjustment. It is faster, stronger, louder, and the game just moves at a different speed. Typically, this can be a struggle for most seniors and juniors to go through. But with the added adjustment to high school, it can make this even harder. However, for two freshmen, Madison Schrader and Clara McCabe, it has been easy.
With being the youngest on the team, it does come with some challenges. They are joining this soccer team with girls who have been playing together since they were kids and with that, is finding how they can fit in.
“The hardest part is finding ways I can contribute to the team in the best way,” McCabe said.
Another key piece in playing with a new team is communication. It can win and lose games, and with it being new to both of these freshmen, it comes with an adjustment.
“Being the youngest on the team takes getting used to communicating with girls three years older than me on the field,” Schrader said.
Despite being new members, the team has welcomed them with open arms. Both have some great senior leaders step up to support them.
“I’ve really appreciated how welcoming and supportive my ‘big sisters’, Raina Schmitt and Cici Hopkins, have been,” Schmidt said.
These “big sister” figures exemplify the family-feel this girls soccer team has adopted. To add on to the family feel, Schrader has had the help of her real older sister, Olivia Schrader, to help guide her along the way.
“Grace H and Olivia have influenced me the most because they have made me feel comfortable and included,” Schrader said.
With this season already on the way, these two have had some time to feel out the game, and experience for themselves. They have already created some memories to cherish. A key memory for McCabe has been playing Warren.
“My ‘Welcome to Varsity’ moment was playing against my dad, who is the Varsity Head Girl’s Coach at Warren,” McCabe said. “He has been cheering me on my whole life, so it felt surreal seeing him on the opposing team’s sideline.”
Moments like that show just how quickly the game can change for freshmen stepping onto varsity. For Schrader, her moment came off the field, when something as simple as a dinner made everything feel real.
“The first team dinner at Olive Garden really made me feel part of the team,” Schrader said.
Since those moments, the game has become less overwhelming and their confidence continues to grow each time they step on the field.
What makes these freshmen stand out the most is their mindset. Neither player feels overwhelmed by the pressure. Instead, they stay positive, trust their abilities, and focus on contributing. Whether it is advice from their teammates or encouragement from coaches, they have trusted the process instead of being intimidated by it.
The transition to varsity can take time, but McCabe and Schrader are already ahead of the game. With strong leadership beside them and their commitment to improve, they are setting the soccer team up for success in years to come.
