While the girls soccer team is kicking off their season with several wins [4-0], they are also beginning with several injuries. Senior Anissa Montoya and freshman Emi Matalon were injured at the start of the season and will be out for the majority of it.

Coach John Roberts said, “Anissa’s growth plate didn’t close all the way yet so they’re going to try to rehab her and put her in a special brace to let her play as much during the season and get her surgery after…and Emi has a fractured foot.” The entire team is hoping that both girls are back on the field for senior night in the middle of January.

Montoya said, “it’s kind of hard cause I know it’s my last year, [but] I’m trying to be [a cheerleader and] I’m still working right now to get back in the second half of the season.” Matalon said, “It sucks cause it’s freshman year. I wanted to prove I could hang with the older girls, but hanging out with [them] has been fun.”

The injuries have not only affected the individual players, but the team as a whole. Senior Logan VanDine said, “Because of these two being out, we’re playing for them, push through for them cause we know they would give anything to be out there. It’s our moment to do what they could if they were out there. It’s all for them.”

The girls have tried their best to prove to everyone that they can play and win even if a couple star players are sitting on the sideline for the first half of the season.

The week of December 4th, Perry participated in the Campo Verde Coyote Classic soccer tournament. They played a total of five games including the championship game. Brenna Alderson scored all three goals, winning the Pumas the championship for their first tournament.

The girls will play their next home game on Tuesday, Jan. 9 against the Chandler wolves at 6.