On June 8, 2021, the home-side of the stadium was nearly packed––a rare sight for a soccer game––and the girls were filled with adrenaline. Their opponents were the Alma Loma Braves for the final game of the CIF Division III State Championships that the Wolverines won, 2-0. Though center-back player Kate Sealy (12) was only a sophomore when she played at the state finals hosted at Westview, she said that it was one of the most exciting games she’s played in these past four years. This season, Sealy and her teammates hope to win another state championship and replicate their experience two seasons ago. 

Since Westview opened in 2002, the girls varsity soccer team has won six Palomar League titles, seven CIF championship titles, and two Southern California regional championships.  

According to coach Peter Stogsdill, who has coached the girls varsity soccer team since Westview opened, he attributes the team’s history of success to how soccer-centric the Poway community is. For instance, Sealy has been playing soccer for the past 13 years. She started at San Diego Futbol Academy, and now plays at both the varsity program at Westview and the San Diego Surf Soccer Club.

Stogsdill said that this year’s team uses this legacy of success  as a motivator.

“[The girls] know that we’ve had a long history of success, and I think they’re proud to be a part of that,” Stogsdill said. “They know they have a pretty good team.” 

This year’s team consists of 12 seniors who are returning players. According to Stogsdill, some of the senior players to watch include Sealy, who has committed to the University of San Diego (USD), Rachel Handy (12) who has committed to San Francisco State (SFS), and Elly Van Den Einde (12), who are are all in their fourth year on the varsity team. 

“We’re able to create a good family atmosphere,” Stogsdill said. “When you have good team chemistry, the team is much more likely to be successful, and these kids all seem to get along really well and enjoy playing together.”

Most of last season’s core defenders graduated, resulting in Stogsdill changing the lineup this season. Usually the team consists of  four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards; now, Stogsdill is trying for a more midfield-oriented formation.

“We have a lot of really good returning midfielders and so we’re trying to figure out a way to get them all on the field at the same time,” Stogsdill said.

Sealy said the combined leadership that Stogsdill and assistant coach Nic Spiess provide for the girls is a major attribute to the success of the team. 

“[Stogsdill] is really good at explaining formations and explaining the tactical part of the game, especially during halftime, and [Spiess] has a lot of wisdom and brings a lot of maturity to our game,” Sealy said. “They have different strengths, but I think they balance out with each other really, really well.” 

Another vital component to the team’s past success is the familiarity the team has with each other and their ability to build off of each other’s experiences. 

“I think it’s great having a really experienced team, it makes it easier for a lot of our underclassmen to adjust to the varsity team,” Sealy said. “I think we’re able to help provide our knowledge to them.”

With a team of highly experienced players, the team’s goals for the season are to win the CIF and League championship. 

“We’re ready to just lay it all out on the field and give it our all for our last year,” Sealy said. “High school soccer is supposed to be fun, and I think [it] being our senior year, we have the potential to do really, really well.”