Three weeks into the season, the varsity soccer team has been ranked number one in the nation by USA Today April 3 in the Super 25 girls spring soccer rankings in region IV held by the United Soccer Coaches. They were ranked number one in statistics and overall values of strength of schedule, offense, defense and power.

“It’s always exciting to be ranked that high,” varsity co-captain junior Gabby Grimaldi said. “It’s nice to see our hard work pay off and be recognized for how well we’re playing.”

The team is 7-0 and has been victorious against local teams as well as accomplishing 6 shutouts since the start of the season. They also have competed in the widely-known MO-KAN Tournament beating rival school St. Teresa’s Academy alongside St. James and Lee’s Summit North High School in late March. This momentum and winning streak can be attributed to the newcomers on the squad as well as the positive attitudes they provide.

“I think the freshmen are all doing really well this season,” Grimaldi said. “Three to four of them start and a few sub in, but they all make an impact.”

The team hopes to continue this streak on their bi-annual trip to Wisconsin to compete against rival Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, another all-girl school April 13.

“We’ve started the season great only giving up one goal on the season so we’re just planning on taking one game at a time,” Grimaldi said.

Although many are excited about the rankings, the main goal of the team is to get back to the Missouri State championship game for the fourth year in a row, according to varsity senior forward Meghan Frerking. She hopes to win her third state championship out of her four years playing for the program.

“It’s awesome to see our successes from last year transfer over to this year,” Frerking said. “It’s a good confidence booster to hopefully accomplish our goal of [winning] State this year.”

The team and the athletic department are very proud of the success the program has performed, according to Assistant Director of Athletics and Community Wellness Sarah Johnson.

“It’s a feeling of joy for the girls and the program and a sense of pride for the [athletic] department and the school,” Johnson said. “[The ranking] proves to everyone else that we do have the talent to be a strong competitor this season.”