The Berkley Girls Soccer team has been known for their early start to their season. The teams started their conditioning right after Thanksgiving break, as well as Oakland Yard, even though they don’t start till the spring. Oakland Yard is a weekly event where you play games on the weekend against other schools. Even though conditioning in the West Gym at 6am – 7am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays can be dreadful to many players, it’s very beneficial to the team in the upcoming spring. This year stands out as the team has an unexpected number of players trying out. There are many more than what Varsity coach Zach Hobson was predicting, with a turnout between 50 and 60 players. This substantial number has already led to three Oakland Yard teams, which is prompting the discussion of forming three high school teams, JV B, JV A, and Varsity, instead of the usual two we have had in the past.
This spring, alongside Hobson, is Pablo Rípodas, the assistant coach. Hobson said, “All teams will continue to be assisted by Pablo Rípodas and Liam Conrad.” They probably are just as excited for the season as the incoming and returning players. They have put, and are still putting, a lot of effort into the upcoming season that kicks off in March. Speaking of the season, the program hasn’t had this many girls participating in a long time. Hobson commented on the possibility of the three teams, “As of now, our objective is to, for the first time ever, field three teams this year.”. “With a core of 19 returning varsity players and an influx of talent to supplement both it and JV A, as well as create JV B, we should be strong from top to bottom this year.” With this new opportunity, the coaches and players are all hoping for an even better outcome of the season this year than last, with the anticipation of making it past the semi-finals.
Hobson continues to give the ranking of what we placed in previous years, “In 2022, 2023, and 2024, we finished in fourth, third, and second place respectively in the OAA White – only one place to go in 2025 in our view. They hope to “lift the OAA White trophy and be promoted to the OAA Red for the first time ever.” Since we are hosting districts, he adds, “We will host what should be a favorable District assignment at Hurley Field, putting us in a strong position to potentially play into June.” Everything considered, he says, “We have the belief that the stars have aligned and presented us with an opportunity to have an exceptional 2025 campaign.”
Their captains this year are essential, as they are the people who show up to every game and morning conditioning, motivating and cheering everyone on both on and off the field. Returning Varsity player senior Jessie Burns is captain once again this year alongside three other seniors, Nora Sleeman, Avery Weingarden, and Hailey Kirkwood. With the Berkley Girls team, captains are selected in an unusual way, they are voted in by the team players and not the coach at the end of the season. They announce who the official captains are at the end of the year’s banquet. It is required of the captains to have good leadership and responsibility. Burns mentions,“When it comes to responsibilities on the team, the other captains and I are in charge of taking attendance at morning trainings and leading the warm-up. Once the season begins, we have to bring equipment/items to and from games and other things too.” She continues, “Being a captain, I believe, does require more responsibility, like ensuring not just myself but everyone is ready to go when we should be and that we are being productive when needed.” Captains share the authority of preparing the team from the underclassmen to the upperclassmen. They do this by keeping everyone on task and encouraging everyone through the months of December to March. Throughout these four months, Burns says, “We do things involving strength workouts and multiple forms of running. On top of the morning workouts, we have weekend games against other schools,” the Oakland Yard games. Although preseason can be rough, it gets them ready for the tough season ahead. Burns exclaims, “I think this upcoming season is going to be very fun on and off the field! I also think we are more confident with our district this year and hope for an even better record!”
With having three teams this year, it will bring new talent and build the program in many ways. The coaching system will remain the same with Hobson as the Varsity coach, Amber Klavon as JV A, and, “We currently are considering a number of qualified individuals to lead JV B,” notes Hobson. All of the players, captains, and coaches have hopefulness and confidence for the approaching season in March; it should be a good one.