There is a saying that hard work pays off – and according to the Wichita North Girls Soccer team coach, these girls have embodied this. Coach Wullschleger says, “the biggest impression the team has made on me is they are not afraid to work hard.”
Telling VYPE, “a couple of weeks ago, the girls insisted on going outside to run when it was pretty cold. They said they had to get used to it because if we had a game that day, we would be expected to play. In order to do hard things, you have to demonstrate the ability to do hard things. This group is tough!”
While the teams’ current goals are “to finish in the top three of the GWAL, finish the season with a winning record, host a playoff game, and win a regional championship,” they already have some memorable moments to be proud of.
According to Wullschleger, “Our best moment from last season was in a 1-0 loss to Northwest.”
“The girls really played a talented, entertaining, and technically sound match vs a well-organized team in Wichita Northwest. Over the years, we have had close games with NW, but that was the best we played against them. We can learn from a loss. It showed us that we’re capable of playing with anyone when we play our best brand of soccer, which gave us confidence the rest of the season.”
Within this season’s team, Wullschleger can already see a “few partnerships on the pitch” that will make them successful.
“It’s hard not to recognize our two first-team all-city players in the center back Cecilia Solis & center midfielder Jazmine Guzman. They are part of our core group that we will build around.”
“Cecilia is a lockdown defender that gives us a sense of security in the back. Jazmine is our creative force going forward. She likes to beat players off the dribble, sets up teammates creatively, and can put the ball in the back of the net.”
The coach says, “My favorite part of working with this team is seeing the improvements they make from day to day and year to year.”
“One of my main jobs is to put players outside of their comfort zones so that they can grow. Challenging each player to work on an aspect of their game and then witnessing their rise to the challenge is very rewarding! When they use a new skill in a game situation, it makes me proud to be their coach!”
Some player efforts to highlight include, “Maley Hansen, Ilex Hagan, and Lissette Tovar, who are all involved in academic excellence activities. Maley Hansen was just awarded the prestigious Gore Scholarship at Wichita State University worth $64,000! Her involvement with the National Honor Society, Student Council, Scholar’s Bowl, Youth Entrepreneurship, and Business Professionals of America, among other academic pursuits, earned her a full ride to WSU!”
