Girls soccer rolls to state

With hard work since November, the Desert Vista varsity girls soccer team has made it to the state finals.

 

Ever since head coach Marvin Hypolite selected his players for the varsity squad, they have trained every day to become the best team they can be.

 

Since Hypolite also coaches club at Ahwatukee-Foothills Soccer Club, he knows how to bring the intensity in tough games and training. Some of the players on the roster have played for him in the past.

 

“He’s very dedicated in making us a better team on and off the field,” said junior Kelsey Fischer. “He strongly believes in teamwork and perseverance through adversity.”

 

Although the girls may think he is absolutely insane at points, they are thankful for his helpful coaching tips and for how far he has gotten them this season.

The Thunder went 9-1-2 in their regular season, not including the few tournaments and showcases they appeared in, reserving them a spot in the playoffs.

In the first round, they fought hard and narrowly defeated Ironwood 1-0.

Coach Hypolite was excited about the win but disappointed by the speed and quality of their playing. He made sure to push the girls during the practices leading up to the next game.

In the quarterfinals, they faced Chaparral and, once again, won 1-0, earning their spot in the semifinals.

Just like before, Hypolite preferred a higher score to the game because they had beaten Chaparral earlier that season by more than a single goal.

Next stop: the semifinal game. On Wednesday, February 11, the third-ranked Thunder played the fifteenth-ranked Chandler Wolves for a spot in the finals. With two goals, one by sophomore Lauren Votto, the other by junior Tatum Heeres, the Thunder advanced over the Wolves 2-0.

“The season has been great. We have a really strong team,” said freshman Lauren Loughran.

The team will play at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert in the state final against Highland on Saturday, February 14 at 4 p.m.