A field split between football and soccer at Decatur sees two teams with different mentalities heading into the 2024 season.
On one side, the football team coming off a historic season and is looking to take a hold of the league that has pinned them down for years and years. On the other side is a girls soccer team that has very little expectations around them.
Last year, Decatur girls soccer was a tale of two seasons. After starting the season 0-2-1 the Gators rattled off five wins in a row and were sitting pretty in the standings with heaps of momentum. But from Oct. 3 to Oct. 19, the Gators lost all momentum and dropped their next five games.
All was not lost as the last game of the season saw Decatur beat rival Federal Way 2-1. But it was too little too late as Mount Rainier claimed the final playoff spot and left Decatur on the outside looking in.
“Knowing that we went that far and were one game away from playoffs, I feel like this year we can make it to the playoffs,” said senior Vanessa Garcia.
Last year served as some motivation for the Gators, missing the playoffs by a single game. Decatur has set its sights on the postseason and possibly even further as the Gators haven’t made the state tournament since 2011.
It also is on the seniors to take this group to that next level. Senior midfielders Alexa Galmichi is one of those seniors who has taken it upon herself to lead Decatur.
“Knowing it is my last season, hopefully I just got strong. I hope the team also has that mindset and knowing how to work together,” she said.
Chemistry is a focus for this senior group, especially with the incoming crop of freshmen.
“Always communicating and taking things seriously,” Garcia said on how to get this team headed in the right direction.
Last year was the first year under new manager Sean Davis, who tripled the wins from the season before his hiring. Davis’ impact is seen all around the program that he leads in his second year.
“He knows how to lead the group and knows how to coach,” Galmichi said.
“He works on everyone and not just one person. He helps us improve, no matter how you play. He is open minded,” Garcia added.
Decatur plays Thomas Jefferson, Federal Way and Todd Beamer twice this season. The added rivalry games are sure to bring about intense atmospheres that the Gators are looking forward to: “I am really looking forward to it because of the competition and just new teams,” Garcia said.
Decatur’s first game of the season is against Thomas Jefferson Sept. 9 at Federal Way Memorial Stadium with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
Vanessa Garcia (yellow) keeps possession at Decatur during practice. Ben Ray / The Mirror
