Against All Odds

by Grace Walkowicz

In a 2022 season for the record books, the tenacity, perseverance, and grit of our girls varsity soccer team truly made Landmark history. We got off to a rough start during the first game of the Independent Girls Conference (IGC) season against Covenant Christian Academy. Within 20 minutes of the match, Ana B. ’24, our lead scorer last year, tore her ACL and was out for the season. Not long after, Kiera C. ’24, another starter, was taken away in an ambulance with a broken leg. The team was crestfallen, worried about teammates, and uncertain about the future of the season. By the two-week mark, we had played six games with two wins, two ties, and two losses.

Turning a Corner

But then the energy shifted. Perhaps it was having Sofia V. ’24 back in action on the field, or maybe it was the new field formation that was finally starting to click, or chalk it up to some good old-fashioned group bonding—but the team was eager and intent on proving its strength, talent, and power. After that two-week mark, with our 2-2-2 record, the team fought through the rest of the season winning every remaining game— every single one—finishing with a 14-2-2 record. Landmark was ranked third in the regular season, and we were hungry for the league title.

The championship game was against athletic powerhouse Montrose School, the No. 1 team in the league on their home turf in Medfield, Mass. Their reputation preceded them with only two goals scored on them all season. In the history of Landmark girls soccer, we had never beaten Montrose.

David vs. Goliath

Our goal for the game was to stay present and in the moment. Win or lose, we wanted to work as a team, enjoy this last time on the field together, play hard, and have fun. We all know how the David and Goliath story ends, but there is a moment during this game that will stay with me for the rest of my life. The score was tied 1–1. We just came off our second overtime, and after 90+ minutes of exhausting and dramatic play, we went into penalty kicks. The team huddled together and remembered our promise to stay present. The sun was setting and the light from a full moon shone on us. We knew it came down to these six players to represent our team: Agata M. ’23, Charlotte F. ’26, Lily V. ’24,

Rocky D. ’25, and Sofia V. ’24, taking shots, with Katie D. ’23 in goal. The rest of the team was locked arm-in-arm, waiting with bated breath. Win or lose, I was more proud of these girls than I can say. Whether a player missed or made their shot, they were all heroes. We were up three penalty kicks to two and getting ready to send our next kickers in if need be. It all came down to the final Montrose kick. Their player wound up, shot it hard and precisely… Katie met the ball fearlessly and knocked it out of the net. One second, two seconds…and then reality hit. We had won the IGC season championship! In a swirl of celebration, relief, and Viking pride—we had made Landmark history. BOOK-OPEN

COACHES:

Steve Walkowicz

Christopher Murphy

Alexis Lynch