In early January, the Poly girls soccer team competed against Mayfield, a historically impressive and well-matched squad on Babcock Field. For most of the match, each team only had one goal, and the game was at a standstill. Eventually, through skill, grit, hard work and a desire to win, the Panthers thrust themselves to a dominant 3-1 victory.
A big reason for the squad’s success this season is the camaraderie between players. Senior captain Mariana Gomez said, “We are more than just teammates; we are truly like sisters. We love being around each other, we have fun together and we support one another both on and off the field.” Very few teams will have as strong a bond as the Panthers do, but this team has one that simultaneously permits them to try their best every game and practice.
Both on and off the field, the team puts its best foot forward, moving as one cohesive unit, displaying its excellence as a whole. This season, the team has an overall record of 10-4 and a league record of 3-2, illustrating their success.
Head Coach Heidi Strauss stated, “Coming into this season, we were really excited just because of the talent we knew we were going to have. I was really optimistic about this team. It has shown, sitting at second in the league.”
Moving into the second round of league and in order to qualify for CIF, they have to maintain at least third overall after facing strong teams a second time. Unfortunately, on Friday, Jan. 23rd, 2026, the team suffered a 0-3 loss against Flintridge Prep, eliminating their chances for a league title. Despite this setback, the team has still secured a spot in the playoffs.
In the upcoming battles, the team’s eagerness to compete and resilience in the face of adversity will be on full display. Each game presents an opportunity to showcase their support for one another. Ultimately, the Poly girls soccer team is defined by their camaraderie, talent, and work ethic, contributing to success on the field. The entire Poly community is cheering them on as they approach the playoffs.