THE CORE OF THIS GROUP HAS BEEN together since their Academy years. The team is made up of 01s and 02s, and the core group has been together for five years. Even with turnover each year, their coach says the single biggest factor in their success is that they all get along and like each other, warmly welcoming new players every year. Coach Michelle Okumura says the team tends to take on multiple personalities. “Defensively, they are very disciplined and shape-oriented. They do a great job working together to make play predictable for their teammates, and they are not afraid to get into hard tackles. Offensively, they like to play the ball through the midfield, which is full of technical, creative players,” Okumura says. “That, combined with incredible work rates from our outside backs and wings, makes them dangerous. They averaged 2.73 goals per game Top from left: Lilli Sams, Callee Maughon, Xitlali Martinez, Abby Chastonay, Cassie Jackson, Eden Avolio, Taylor Salvaggio, Gabby during their regular season, with goals coming Schlossberg, Coach Michelle Okumura, Taylor Frew, Merryn Thompson Bottom, from left: Erin Stanfill, Alyssa Baugh, Carsun Neubauer, Meara Kelly, Macky Clark, Savannah Gilstrap from 10 different players (out of 16 total).” They have had a lot of success both during their regular season other,” she says. When they don’t feel good or are worried and might and in tournaments. They finished in the top half of Athena A want to give less effort, they’re always willing to work for their teammates (Georgia Soccer’s top flight of non-regional soccer), and they’ve been because they know their teammates will work for them, Okumura says. Champions (3) or Finalists (1) in four of their last six tournaments. “Each year, we set individual and team goals.