Wind in your hair. The smell of fresh grass. Sun beating down on a sweat drenched face.

As spring sports are starting Papillion LaVista’s Girls Soccer team is excited to start their season after making their first state tournament appearance since 2019 last year.

Last year the girls soccer team made it to state and for many players it was the highlight of their season.

“My favorite part about my freshman year was getting to go to state and having that experience my freshman year,” Sophomore Mckenna Schaefer said.

Many other players liked hanging out off the field.

“My favorite part about my freshman year was definitely the bus rides back,” Sophomore Ruby Ryan said. “We would listen to pink pony club.”

On the field players are ready to gear up for an exciting season. For Ryan it’s more than just playing the game.

“I’m really excited to just skip school and hang out with the team,” Ryan said.

Many are hopeful for keeping their state streak alive as they look to make back to back state appearances. Schaefer believes they have a strong team.

“I believe our team has the ability to make it to state this year as long as we work hard and win games,” Schaefer said.

Tryouts can be long and tiring but when you have Nebraska weather you never know what you’re going to get. Schaefer remembers her first year of tryouts.

“The worst part about tryouts my freshman year was definitely the weather,” Schaefer said. “It was rainy and cold.”

As new players come to tryouts it’s helpful to have some advice from former players.

“Just go out and try your best and have fun,” Ryan said. “Don’t hang yourself up on mistaks just keep going.”

Soccer season is the best part of some players’ school years.

“I am super excited to spend another season with my team and to bond and play with them more,” Schaefer said.

Soccer season is a blast and players are ready to kick off their season taking on March 24 at 7 pm as they take on Bellevue West.