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These days life is good for the Greenwood Lady Blue Jays.
“Where we are right now, it almost brings me to tears. I’m just so happy,” said Greenwood soccer senior Annabelle Sonnemaker.
But if you rewind a bit, you may notice it hasn’t always been this way.
Greenwood’s current seniors went 0-10 their freshman season before seeing their sophomore year wiped out by COVID.
Still, this group of Lady Jays kept on believing.
“I knew as soon as these girls came in that this is going to be the team [to turn it around],” Annabelle said.
It turns out, this is the team.
Now under the guidance of first-year head coach Melissa Kuhar, Greenwood is flying to new heights.
“Our goal and objective was to play quality soccer, win some games, [and] see where it takes us. It’s taking us to state which is pretty crazy,” Kuhar said.
“I’m so proud of these girls,” Annabelle said. “Every game they give it their all and I’m grateful to call them my family and being able to sow the field with them for my senior year and coming this far.”
Greenwood will play in the final four for the first time ever, led by their top scorer, Annabelle.
“She has all the pieces. There’s a reason she’s going to play you know, college soccer next year,” Kuhar said. “My assistants and I told her ‘people are going to triple and double team you.’ But she’s fought through that which is awesome to see.”
Annabelle has fought through that to score 37 goals this year.
But it’s not the on-field production where she makes her biggest impact.
As a senior leader, Annabelle is quick to point out her classmates when handing out credit.
“There are multiple seniors here so it’s not just me. We have multiple leaders and I would say everyone is a leader on here,” Annabelle said.
“She knows they’re all there and she knows it’s not a one-man show. And that’s something like that’s just a testament to her,” Kuhar said.
Greenwood will play St. Pius X on Friday morning in the Class 1 State Semifinals.
