On Sept. 5, the women’s soccer team fell to Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 1-0. Now they look to flip the script in the State championship game. 

As the team prepares for the Class 2A State Final, Head Coach Mr, Marc Behringer ’84 described the message he has given his team this week. “I told them that they have earned their way to where they stated from the beginning they wanted to be,” he said. “Success is when preparation meets opportunity.”

Throughout the week, the team has trained on artificial turf to prepare for the football field on which they will play at Fishers High School at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31. Behringer said that they have even measured out the dimensions in order to be completely ready and “take the last step,” as he phrased it, on Saturday. 

Though the Irish have already lost to the Saints once this year, Behringer knows that game does not indicate how his team will compete this time around. “Both teams are playing better. Both teams know a bit more about each other,” he said, “The girls are excited to have another chance to beat them.”

When asked about he keys to the game, Behringer did not seem particularly worried about game plan. He said, “A lot will be based on the players’ mindsets (and) how do we respond to the ups and downs.” He mentioned that confidence and resilience will play a big part in the game, as well as staying calm. “The team that plays more relaxed will have the advantage.”

Behringer hopes his team will understand that its play does not have to be pretty to come out victorious. “Soccer is not about possession, it is about how many times the ball goes in the goal,” he said, “We have to take advantage of our opportunities.”

Just two years ago, eight players on the team this year experienced the feeling of winning a State championship. Behringer said he hopes the girls that were a part of that help their teammates along. “Our seniors and the leadership they provide have been the key to our success this season,” he said, “They have opened their arms to the entire program.” Behringer says that the rest of the team feeds off of the seniors as they feel more comfortable and at their best when they have the seniors leading the way. 

In a season of doubts, the team has been able to stay focused and reach their goal. Behringer said, “One of the things that has driven this team is how grateful they are that they have had the opportunity to play this season.”

The head coach of the Bishop Dwenger team did not reply to a reporter’s request for an interview.