By Latoya Johnson
The South Walton High School girls’ soccer team finished the season with an impressive 16-2 record earning them the 10th spot in the Florida state rankings and 19th nationally. The Seahawks won the Region 1-4A tournament, 4-2, against the Stanton Blue Devils out of Jacksonville on February 14, 2024. It marked the team’s sixth straight home win. Senior Macy Chambers and junior Maiya Bowers scored all four of the team’s goals, with Chambers notching her 21st goal of the season and contributing to the team’s two of four assists.
Despite operating under a demanding schedule and losing key players before and during the season, the Seahawks entered the state semifinals with a 16-1 standing. Bowers, reflecting on the team’s journey, was initially apprehensive about their success “We lost ten, eleven seniors last year. It was a big blow to the program,” she says. However, their initial victories boosted morale and instilled confidence in the team. “Oh, wow, maybe we got this!” Bowers later exclaimed. The mid-season loss of top goal scorer Aliza Mannon required adjustments to the lineup, with Chambers transitioning from goalie to a different position. “I had to transfer over into playing attack, so it was a really big difference. I had to change my mindset and make sure I was doing what was right for the team.”
Sophomore Jayden Lo Bue-Holzer recalls, “We did lose a really valuable player in the season, [and] we definitely had to adjust to that in order to keep going. We all had positive attitudes the whole year [and] it kept going.”
Freshman Chloe Davis believes it all worked out for the Seahawks, “We got to be more of a team and know one another better.” Their journey included competing against and beating a formidable lineup of 5A and 6A teams, showcasing their resilience and skill. In late fall, they pummeled Choctawhatchee, 7-0, and Fort Walton Beach, 8-0, in their first and sixth games, respectively. Subsequently, they rolled over Navarre (4-1), Niceville (3-2), and Gulf Breeze (2-1) before heading to the playoffs in late January. Assistant Coach Jud Boulware attributes their success to the close-knit bond among the 30-member team, many of whom have played together since childhood. Head Coach Frank Casillo emphasizes the importance of trust and collaboration on the field, contributing to their achievements, “Everybody supports each other, and you see it on the field.”
Despite their best efforts, the Seahawks fell short in the state semifinals on February 22, 2024 against Academy of the Holy Names, 0-3, ending their quest for a state championship title. “That last game, I kind of had to settle in my heart, ‘okay, it’s over,’ but I knew I did all I could,” reflects Chambers, who will be going on to play soccer for Southern Union Community College in Alabama next year. “Knowing it was my last season, I really wanted to leave everything out there.”
As the team bids farewell to its graduating seniors, the Seahawks prepare themselves for the upcoming season. Davis anticipates her sophomore year on the team, aiming to maintain strong communication with her teammates, while Lo Bue-Holzer “hopes to be more of an asset.” Coach Casillo has expressed excitement about the growth and development of the players, pushing them to reach new heights in the coming season. Bowers looks forward to stepping up as a team leader in her senior year and continuing to build on the program’s success, “I feel so excited. I’m going to miss the seniors; they’ve helped build an incredible program, and I’m excited to help carry it forward.”
Author: Sowal Editor
Visits: 0
