Play as one. The motto that ignites the fire within girls soccer means more than just winning. It’s about mentality.

Head Coach Chris Bale says that it is “more than just a phrase—it’s a commitment to unity, trust, and teamwork.”

But the journey to finding that equilibrium hasn’t necessarily been an easy one.

“This season has been different in a couple ways with a new head coach and several new players on the team,” Varsity Team Captain and senior, Greta Foshag, said.

Foshag plans to continue playing soccer at Minnesota State University at Mankato.

As Foshag said, the team recently went through a coaching transition, as Chris Bale took on the role of head coach.

“The different coaches have definitely helped us develop a new dynamic and a new culture this year that I think we haven’t seen in years prior,” London Boettcher, senior, said. “It’s really just about loving each other, supporting each other, and always working hard; working hard for yourself and working hard for everybody else on the team.”

Bale states that the team and the entire coaching staff have put in “tremendous effort to build a strong, positive culture.”

Senior and Varsity Team Captain, Izzy Harris, notes some of her “best memories from this season are anytime we hang out. Whether it’s during practice, games, film, a burn boot camp during preseason, or team dinners, I love hanging out and laughing with this team.”

The unity seen off the field can be represented by the successes on the field. As Harris says, “this team has had its challenges but we have come out better and stronger.”

Bale said that “there’s a real buzz among other coaches about how the Homestead girls are performing—not just against teams in our conference, but also against some of the top-ranked teams in the state.”

And as playoffs quickly approach, Bale says “teams are starting to fear facing us.”