The undefeated No. 7 girls soccer team looks to continue their strong start as they take on Roncalli at home. Junior center back Kylie Smith knows she’ll be working especially hard to keep the goal count on the Trojans’ side. 

“When we played Roncalli last year, we weren’t ready to compete like we needed to,” Smith said. “Roncalli is aggressive and has some key players that pose a threat.” 

Roncalli is 5-3-1, and in the five games they have won, they have outscored their opponents 18-1. Summer Fishel, who leads the team with eight goals and three assists, averages three shots per game. Junior midfielder Taylor Wert knows the Trojans will have to contain her. 

“Summer is a great player both offensively and defensively. She is very good at creating attacking opportunities for others and for herself. She will be dangerous in that sense,” Wert said. “She is also a very hard-working player defensively; it will be important to play quickly and possess around her.”

With Center Grove and Roncalli located just 12 miles apart, many players on both teams have been teammates on club teams for years. Wert understands how this could impact the game.

“Roncalli will be different from the other teams we have played this season because they are not only a highly competitive team, but because of how close the school is. There are lots of people that we know personally,” Wert said. “I think playing against people you know makes the game more personal and meaningful, which in a way fuels you motivationally even more.” 

Last season, the Trojans tied 1-1 against the Royals; however, two seasons ago, Center Grove walked away with an 8-1 victory. 

This season, Roncalli features a lethal high press, but it won’t be the first time the Trojans have seen it. Earlier opponents East Central and Bloomington South were high-pressing teams, but the Trojans came away from East Central victorious, winning 1-0 thanks to an Addie Crowe last-second header, and tying Bloomington South 2-2. 

“We know Roncalli’s potential in moving the ball forward, and their high press could lead to dangerous plays,” junior Jenna Margiotti said. “It would be fantastic for us to begin a win streak against Roncalli.”

Creating chances is something the Trojans have done well this season; 15 out of their 25 goals have come off an assist. This is something the Trojans will need to rely on against Roncalli.

“Offensively we look to help create chances and put our teammates in the best position for success,” Wert said. “I believe the key to scoring against a high press will be to just continue our style of possession-style play. We can use their high-press style to play against them to find opportunities to slip balls behind.”

The 6-0-1 Trojans, led by top goal scorers Emily Karr (6) and Ali Weismann (6), have gotten off to their best start since the 2019 sectional winning season; an accomplishment the 2022 team hopes to repeat.

“I believed that we were capable of going undefeated for this long,” Wert said. “We have a lot of talented players and are able to work together well. As long as we maintain the right mindset, I believe we can continue this streak.”