Whoosh! That was the sound of the soccer ball hitting the back of St. Vincent-St. Mary's goal net on Sept. 3. The game was the most anticipated of the season.

There weren't any star players in this game; it was a team effort. Sophomore Dana Speicher shouldered an opponent in order to pass the ball to freshman Lindsey Bartkowski in the first quarter. Bartkowski scored a penalty kick at the end of the first half. Senior Maria Oliveti has a penalty kick in the second half to tie the score. St. V-M scored with 1:30 left to win. The game ended 4-3, leaving Hoban fans heartbroken.

"It's a big disappointment that we lost," sophomore Elizabeth Kempf said, "but we must go on from here."

Senior Ashley Horton, a team cocaptain, has a great deal of faith in her team.

"We are 5-1," she said. "I believe in this team. We are doing very well."

Positive attitudes surround the team. According to Kempf, this season will be a productive one.

"It will be a good year," she said. "Everyone is working together on and off the field. Communication has never been better."

Sophomore Keely McGowan plays center midfield. McGowan said the team has good chemistry.

"We have lots of team unity," she said. "Our midfield works together as if we are all connected. If we didn't talk, we would definitely have problems on the field. A soccer team without good communication doesn't go very far."

Bartkowski thinks practice has helped the team.

"The hard work the team puts into practices shows in the games," she said. "I am very relaxed and ready to win."

The St. Vincent-St. Mary's game was followed by a home game against Dover Sept. 6, where sophomore Dana Spiecher scored three goals. Sophomore Haley Stamets, McGowan and Bartkowski also scored. The Knights defeated the Tornadoes 6-1.

The team faced Medina Highland yesterday, but results were not available by deadline. Tomorrow, the girls take on Cardinal Mooney at home.