When the Woodbury High School Girls' Soccer Team began its season, the girls dreamed of a return trip to the state title game, to defend last year's title.
On Monday, the school's student body got a surprise. "My husband told me first and I thought surely he's mistaken," Principal Linda Plante said. She confirmed her husband's statement and made the announcement over the school's public address system.
"It's really cool because everyone at school knows now," senior forward Aly Duval said.
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America has voted and the Woodbury girls are the top-ranked team in the nation.
"When we really think about it, it's like wow," senior midfielder Caitlin Graboski said.
"It's weird to be acknowledged like that, with something that cool," teammate Samantha Lumberg added.
"We've just been working really hard and we keep winning. I guess it just happened," senior defender Mary Kroening said.
The team is on quite a winning streak; though the streak is not something members of this team will bring up. The last loss? "2 years ago I guess," Duval said.
"I think State Tournament sophomore year," Kroening said with a smile.
"Um, they said it was about 34 games, it's a winning streak," Lumberg said.
The team also carries a 3.75 GPA.
"We're really close, we're like a family. We love each other, that's probably why we play so good when we're on the field," Graboski said.
Being Numero Uno, in the country, adds a little pressure on a team a little more than halfway through its season. "We got a big target on our back, but it's cool, it's fun," Duval said. "It is an honor, but we're not going to let it get to our heads," Kroening added.
(Copyright 2009 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
