But Zephyrs players, especially the young ones, have stepped up for their older, injured teammates. Mahtomedi graduated 11 seniors from last year’s team.
“Coming from an eighth-grader, I just think that it’s important to do it for the upperclassmen, and I want it really badly for them, especially when they’re injured,” said Lucy Peer, who tied the score in the second half after Mahtomedi faced a 1-0 halftime hole. “Everybody needs to just work really hard.”
Junior Elise Aflakpi netted the game-winner, assisted by senior Kayla Poirier, who also assisted on Peer’s goal. Freshman Olivia Boberg cleared a Cougars chance off the goal line that would have tied the game late.
“It hasn’t always been pretty, but these guys get it done,” Wald said. “The last few years, we’ve had a lot of people in front of [these players]. … There’s a lot of pressure.”
In the second half, said Wald, “we didn’t change anything other than we wanted them to control the ball more, relax, pass, settle down.”
Future St. Thomas keeper and current Zephyrs captain Harlow Berger has locked it down in net without Worden, with whom she split time last year, receiving all-state honors and a Ms. Soccer finalist nod. Her ability to punt and kick nearly three-fourths of the field doesn’t hurt.