Girls Varsity Soccer (GVS) is known as being amongst the most successful and popular sports teams of the fall season. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it to the EILS this year, but with a record of 7 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie, the team is continually proving to be a pillar of Concord Academy athletics.
Digital technology is credited with part of the team's success. GVS’s managers (sophomores Jessica Guo ’27 and Lily Kim ’27) record every home game using a tripod with a smartphone cradle. This allows the coach, Ben Stumpf, and the hard-working players to review the best and worst plays of games, providing the team with footage to target areas of improvement and, as a result, strengthening our players with an individual focus.
GVS is also strong in terms of community, with psyches and often heads to Bedford Farms after practice, and having fun psychs on game days. GVS also possesses a variety of specific traditions. The team has passed down a green and white pestle throughout the years, along with the pre-game ritual to “pestle their opponents.” At away games, GVS passes the pestle around in a circle and grinds up the grass from their opponent’s turf. Before a home game, however, the team passes the pestle around empty. “The ritual helps us get our heads in the game,” said Lily Gruhl ’27. This tradition is a fun, unique, team bonding experience which allows the whole team to be aware of the priority of the game: winning. The wolf and hard hat are similar symbolic showings of different talents. The first practice after a game, the person who’d been the most aggressive player gets the wolf. The hard hat is given to the player who played with the most effort. Both of these rewards are passed down through the players, with the previous ‘wolf’ or ‘hard hat’ handing it down to the next.
On November 6, GVS faced Berwick Academy for their senior game, and emerged with a 1-0 victory at Moriarity. Previously, they defeated Beaver Country Day School in a 1-0 victory on October 30, and demolished Lexington Christian Academy 5-2 on October 25.
Be sure to come out and support the team and make sure you follow the GVS Instagram, @concordgvs, to be updated on the game schedule and upcoming events!