Abby Hansen is a journalism student at Gilbert Christian High School assigned to cover high school sports for AZPreps365.com 

Sophomore Kaelyn Xavier has been playing soccer for seven years of her life. Gilbert Christian women's soccer team are known as the state champions this year because of their big win last year at the 3A State Championship. Xavier was on the team last year and participated in this victory. “ Since other schools know us as the state champions, it can put pressure on our team this year feeling like we have to keep our title.” When asked how she likes soccer, Kaelyn states how she loves her team and the relationships formed, and the atmosphere is really unproblematic and drama free. 

“It is a lot harder this year with COVID-19 because of masks, it is really hard to breathe, and there are no student fans so it is a lot different than the experience I had last year.” Kaelyn says. “We can’t shake hands with the other team now because of COVID-19 so it feels weird just leaving the field at the end of the game.”  Asking what she misses most from last year, Xavier states how she misses having student fans in the stands and she doesn’t like how quiet it is. 

Kaelyn Xavier explains how her favorite thing about soccer this year is the atmosphere and the team. She has really close relationships with the captains, and the team is really supportive of one another. She then goes on to explain that her least favorite part of this year is the COVID-19 rules, and how it can get really intense sometimes. She appreciates all of her coaches and how they support her and the team.