OAK PARK — The Oak Park girls soccer group chat was whirling with emotions when head coach Kathryn Klamecki told her team its playoff fate.
For the second season in a row, the Eagles had to begin their fight in the playoffs with a wild-card game.
“Oh God, I think when the text got sent that we had a wild-card game, everyone’s stomach dropped,” Oak Park senior Ava Dermott said. “Kat sent the text and someone was like, ‘You’ve got to be joking, right?’”
Oak Park gleaned motivation from the situation and is now going to compete in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship against Apple Valley on the Eagles’ home field at 6 p.m. on Friday.
It’s gotten to the point where many players even tack the phrase “and we were a wildcard team” onto the end of accomplishments.
“We had to stay mentally strong,” senior Macie Baird said. “We knew that after that wild-card game, we have to turn around right away and play in the first round a day later. It was really hard for us, but I think it also encouraged us.”
The wild-card game was a benefit, in some ways. The Eagles ended the Coastal Canyon League season with losses to Moorpark and Camarillo — the two teams that tied for the league title.
Oak Park bounced back with a 2-0 shutout of Valencia to begin the playoffs.
“(League play) was so intense that going into playoffs we started to realize like how good we actually were,” senior Malea Johnson said. “I feel like the beginning of playoffs was probably easier than a lot of the league games we played.”
Oak Park’s offensive abilities have also built throughout the season to give the Eagles a strong spine, as Klamecki said. Ainsley Gove is a four-year starting goalkeeper and Baird is a four-year starting defender at center back. Then there’s four-year varsity player Sydney Robertson at midfield while Dermott and Johnson round out the attack.
“More kids have gotten more confident,” Klamecki said. “They’re learning how to play with each other. We’ve relied on a couple kids most of this season to score and the last couple games, we’ve had other people put the ball in the back of the net which has been really nice.”
Confidence and an unselfish style of play have been cultivated through the leadership of nine seniors and strategic team bonding efforts. The Eagles played a game at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, then stayed overnight at a hotel the night of the game.
Klamecki makes sure to divide up friend groups when rooms are assigned to help strengthen bonds across the team. While some players went to bed at 10 p.m. sharp and others stayed up all night, the trip was a turning point in the season.
“This is just a saying, but some people don’t pass to people they don’t like,” Dermott said. “So the fact that we all get along and all know how each other plays and we’re all super close, it helps so much on the field.”
The Eagles practiced in the rain for an hour and a half on Tuesday. A one-hour film session and one-hour practice are on deck for Wednesday. The only possible days off come after a game.
The gauntlet isn’t easing up for Oak Park. And they were a wild-card team.
Daily News girls soccer championship schedule
Division 3
Apple Valley at Oak Park, Friday, 6 p.m.
Division 4
Monrovia vs. Louisville at Crespi High School, Friday, 7 pm.
Division 5
Estancia vs. Campbell Hall at Fred Kelly Stadium, Orange, Saturday, 1 p.m.
