Girls’ soccer is a rapidly growing program at DePaul Prep. This year, girls have tried out more than ever, a total of over 60. There was even a need to create another team: there is now JV1, JV2, and varsity.

Head varsity coach Tim O’ Reilly said, “It was a difficult process selecting the players because there was so much talent.” 

During the preseason the coaches held open fields and conditioning sessions to help prepare the girls. 

O’Reilly has been coaching soccer for 33 years. This is his fifth year coaching at DePaul Prep. Going into this season, he is looking forward to them “really growing as a team and them feeling comfortable playing together.”

“This year the [four] seniors are taking on leadership roles,” according to O’Reilly. 

Senior Catherine Corkery said this year she wants to “help establish more communication on and off the field.” 

Eleanor Farrell, a sophomore at DePaul Prep said one thing she is looking forward to this season is their games.

“We have a good schedule and a challenging season coming up.”

Last year, Farrell started on varsity as a freshman, she overcame many obstacles and is coming back even stronger this season. 

One challenge the team is currently facing is learning to play with a new style, formation, and players. Last year, the team made it all the way to super sectionals. They ranked #13 in the state for 1A.

The group gets along really well, and that contributes to them playing together as a team better. This year the girls are coming together well as a team, even with the new players. 

The highlight of the season last year was “The togetherness in which the team played It was a very tight group and they had great team chemistry,” said O’Reilly. 

“We get along very well and we have a lot of team camaraderie,” according to Corkery. 

This year O’Reilly’s goal is to get the team farther than ever before in state. 

“The biggest challenge we’ve faced so far is the weather,” said O’Reilly. 

This season will be much more competitive and challenging compared to the last, but this team’s chemistry and talent will take them further than ever.