The Somerville Primary girls soccer team has taken the school to new sporting heights, reaching the School Sport Victoria State Championships for the first time after a remarkable run through the competition.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for the school and comes as soccer continues to build a stronger presence within the local sporting community.
The girls earned their place at State after winning the Regional Championships at Casey Fields in Cranbourne on Monday 17 August, surviving two dramatic penalty shootouts along the way.
Regional Victory Seals State Berth
Somerville lost its opening match at Regionals before bouncing back to win the remainder of its pool games and qualify for the semi-final.
That match finished level after regular time and overtime, sending the contest to penalties.
Somerville converted three penalties to the opposition’s two to progress to the final.
The final would be decided in almost identical fashion.
With scores again locked after regulation time, Somerville held its nerve in another shootout, winning 3-2 and securing a place at the State Championships.
PE teacher Lachlan Smith said the scenes around the final shootout were among the highlights of the campaign.
“It was so thrilling to see the girls stepping up to take, and save, penalties with a large crowd of girls and parents watching on.”
Goalkeeper Ava produced the decisive save to send Somerville through.
“The final save from our goalkeeper, Ava, which secured our spot at State, will be a moment all of the girls remember for a long time,” Mr Smith said.
Somerville Primary Girls Soccer Team Takes On Victoria’s Best
The State Championships were held at Darebin International Sports Centre on Wednesday 2 September, where Somerville faced some of the strongest primary school teams in Victoria.
The girls narrowly lost their opening match 2-1 before producing a 3-3 draw in their second game and finishing with a 2-0 loss in their final match.
While Somerville did not return home with the trophy, reaching State for the first time represented a major step for the school.
Mr Smith said the team showed it belonged at that level.
“It was fantastic to see them going toe-to-toe with some of the best school teams in Victoria.”
“For our school, it was also an inspiration to see just how achievable reaching the State Championships can be, and to see that our girls had what it took to compete on those pitches and play at such a high level.”
He described the campaign as a career highlight.
Players Reflect On Historic Run
Grade 5 student Billie, the youngest member of the team, finished as Somerville’s leading goal scorer and scored twice at the State Championships.
“I reckon this team is one of the best bunches of girls I have ever played with, and I am so sad it has come to an end.”
Grade 6 student Hayley, who plays outside school for Southern United FC, said reaching State reflected the effort of the entire group.
“I am so proud of everyone, and it was really fun scoring and seeing how everybody played as a team. I’m so thrilled we made it all the way to State.”
Ava, who normally played in midfield before moving into goal for the Regional penalty shootouts, said saving the decisive penalty was a personal highlight.
“My personal achievement was saving the winning penalty at Regionals and getting us through to State.”
School Captain Lexie was another important part of the campaign despite not playing soccer for a club outside school.
“I don’t play soccer for a team outside of school, but my PE teacher, Mr Smith, asked me to step up and help our team get to State. I am super glad I joined.”
Soccer has traditionally had a lower profile than some other sports across Somerville, but that has begun to shift in recent years.
For Somerville Primary, the girls’ run to the State Championships has set a new sporting benchmark and shown that local players can compete alongside some of the strongest school teams in Victoria.
For the girls themselves, it was a chance to represent their school on the State stage and leave something for the next group of young Somerville players to build on.
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