Hannah Bronkema is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona College Preparatory for AZPreps365.com

After a whirlwind of cancellations and reinstatements by the AIA Executive Board, the Arizona College Prep soccer team began practices a mere three days before the season began.

That’s when the Knights coined the term ‘just keep swimming’ to navigate the pandemic.

“I knew going into the season that it was going to be weird,” coach Hector Rivera said, “And I know people had other stuff going on maybe friends, maybe family members getting it and some players getting it themselves, so I just told them for the season our theme is to just keep swimming and to live in the moment.”

One of the most difficult challenges to overcome this season are newly-instated COVID-19 regulations requiring the use of masks at all times before, during and after the game.

Captains Jenni McMahon and Whitney Matz, along with the rest of the team, agree that sprinting while wearing a mask can be a hinderance on optimum player performance. However, if wearing a mask allows them to continue to compete and play the game they love with their ‘soccer sisters,’ it is a sacrifice worth making.

“Even though I absolutely hate playing in a mask, if the alternative is to not play at all or to play and risk a higher chance of exposure because I don’t know what everyone else is doing then I definitely think it’s worth it,” said McMahon.

Matz said for the remainder of the season, the short- term goal is to compete with a mid-season peak.

Long-term, McMahon said that setting the team up for future success in the face of adversity continues to be a vital part of her role as captain.

“What you do today has more of an impact a year from now than what you will have tomorrow,” McMahon said.

In spite of the rocky start to the season, the Knights are 1-2-1.