The women’s soccer teams of today were built off centuries of triumph over adversity and harsh criticism. Women wanted to play the sport in the 1800s and were discouraged from organizing any professional teams.
However, progress was still made as in 1920 a women’s soccer game attracted over 50,000 people, almost 20 times the number of people who would fit in the gym at West. As quickly as traction was gained, it came to a halt as the English Football Association (FA) banned women’s soccer for 50 years.
With determination came results as England recognized women’s soccer as a sport in the early 1970s, and the USA soon after, but even today most countries still have not.
2024 will mark over 150 years of professional men’s soccer, it will also mark almost the 30th anniversary of professional women’s soccer. With only 30 years of advancement, how much has professional women’s soccer changed? What advancements does it have left to make? What does Women’s Soccer look like here at West Johnston?
The Wildcats Women’s Soccer team has not yet completed their 2024 season and yet they are showing triumph while facing challenges; Triumph that female athletes have had to show throughout their entire lives.
“Growing up I played soccer on a team with boys, I always felt underestimated and like I constantly had to prove myself even though I was just as good as the rest of them. I love the soccer team because of the friendships and bonds I’m creating, and how I feel like I can overcome challenges,” said Freshman, ElleMari Harrell.
Similarly, the US Women’s Soccer team has had to fight for change and display resilience throughout their careers. Their strength has forced the media to recognize their excellence, and accomplishments, and change the minds of those who doubted them.
A recent New York Times article shared that the US Women’s Soccer team has brought home 4 World Cup titles and 4 Olympic gold medals, and in 2015 they set a record for the most viewed US soccer game in either gender. Despite these accomplishments and America showing that they care about women’s soccer, women playing for the United States did not receive equal pay until 2022 after six years of fighting for it.
The US women’s soccer team has had to face adversity throughout their careers constantly; working against the current to reach an open sea of success hasn’t been easy for them, but there are tangible results we can see now, and results to be seen in the future.
The West Women’s Soccer team is young and is improving each year. Currently, they are third in the conference and have nine games total even when the odds were against them.
The West Johnston Women’s Soccer team has always displayed vigor by rarely finishing below third or fourth in the conference.
The team has members who show tenacity and never give up because they know how it feels to face adversity. The West Johnston Girl’s soccer team has shown up and shown out just like the U.S. National Women’s Soccer team. The West Women’s Soccer team has a conference record of 10-4 and still has play offs ahead of them.
Female soccer players know how it feels to be underestimated and overlooked in the eyes of male players and fans. But, that only ignites and fuels the flame inside them to work harder and prove they can overcome any challenge they face.
“I have faced many challenges and I usually overcome them by adapting to the right mindset and seeing challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow,” shared Sophmore Madison Knight. Knight has been on the team for 2 years.
The Women’s Soccer team at West has a bright future, just like the future of women’s soccer everywhere.
Former U.S. Women’s Soccer player, Carli Lloyd once said, “If you have a dream, it’s definitely achievable through hard work, through dedication, sacrifice, everything.”
