The Del Mar High School girls soccer Varsity team lost to Mt. Pleasant High School (2–1) in a challenging and physical match on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
The game included frequent stoppages, with the ball going out of bounds multiple times. Tension between the two teams affected the flow of play. During the match, a Mt. Pleasant player fell on the field and suffered a muscle injury, causing a pause in the game.
Despite these challenges, Del Mar players worked together and supported one another on the field.
“The most challenging thing for me during yesterday’s game was trying to have a good performance and staying positive,” said Jasmine Quintero, a junior at Del Mar High School. “The tension during the game had an impact on all of our players.”
Jasmine said the team struggled at times due to pressure and mistakes. “We lost because of unfortunate mistakes, and the tension between both teams threw us off,” she said.
Ella Jaye Pavlina, a senior at Del Mar High School, also said conflicts on the field were one of the hardest parts of the match. “The most challenging moments were the conflicts between our team and the opposing team,” Pavlina said. “It’s not how soccer games should be, so I did my best to stay out of it.”
Ella also shared what being part of the team means to her. “Being a part of this team means encouraging my teammates when they aren’t confident and creating strong connections with each player,” she said. “Even with losses, I love my teammates and coach, and I’m grateful to be spending my last season with this team.”
Although Del Mar did not come away with the win, players said the team stayed positive, worked together, and hope to improve in future matches.
