Soccer – Page 2

Small team, big responsibilities

Girls’ soccer team recruits new players, uses positive energy to face the season

by Layney Derricott

The JHS girls’ soccer team has begun the new season with a smaller-than-normal roster, with barely enough players to fill the field or the bench.

The soccer team huddles together before the start of the Silver Creek game last Tuesday. The Red Devils fought the Dragons to a 3-3 tie. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

However, coming off a long summer break and straight into practice, the team is keeping a positive mindset despite the challenges.

“We always make sure to always be uplifting and bring each other up — that’s important,” said senior midfielder Layana Cosby.

After the 2025-26 season, a variety of players graduated, leaving the team depleted; however, the game still goes on. With their first game on August 18, the team prepared hastily. To start the season, they held tryouts August 3-5, resulting in a roster of 19, just enough players to field a team.

Being on a team with fewer players can change experiences, including creating a different environment, demanding more responsibility with individual players and affecting gameplay.

Coach Emily Foster said, “It’s a struggle having to try out new positions, but they are rising well to the challenge of something new. It’s all a matter of time for the team.”

In addition to adjusting to new positions, the smaller roster has also learned the importance of teamwork and patience.

Sophomore center defender Haylee Alvaranga stated, “Having to have more patience helps with being a better team player by allowing you to listen, communicate, and work well with others.”

Smaller teams sometimes mean less help. Players said patience in waiting their turns, along with communicating, thinking of others, and listening, tends to be a key virtue in being a team player.

Senior Laela Rudicel stops the ball from going out of bounds, later scoring with the possession. The Red Devils tied the Silver Creek Dragons 3-3 last Tuesday. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

Senior team captain Abi Lemon stated, “facing tough opponents while staying optimistic” will be the Red Devils’ biggest challenge to overcome this season.

Meeting this challenge while struggling under pressure can be hard but effective, according to Lemon. The new players joining the team are both helpful and encouraged.

“It is a great experience to try something new; no matter how good someone is, their talent is needed. Everyone has unique talents and skills that can contribute to the team and make a lasting difference,” said Alvarenga.

The players described a welcoming environment as they prepare for their opponents, and they’re ready for just anyone to join the team. Hoping to be at their their peak by the time they play local rival Floyd Central, the Red Devils have the chance to turn their early challenges into motivation to prove what they can accomplish.

Lemon shared her ways of keeping a positive mindset for herself and the young team.

“Always put God first, making sure to keep your head up. While lifting up the people around you, also allowing them to lift you up.”

25 Aug 202626 Aug 2026 by jhshyphen

JHS defeats Providence 3-1 last night

All photos by Parker McCloskey.

The Red Devil starters line up before the match against Providence Wednesday night. JHS defeated the Pioneers 3-1. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

20 Aug 2026 by jhshyphen

Boys’ soccer defeats Evansville Reitz 2-1 on Saturday

All photos by Parker McCloskey.

Senior Alan Lopez walks off “Big Red” as the soccer team arrives to face Evansville Reitz on Saturday, August 15. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

17 Aug 2026 by jhshyphen

Red Devil soccer team advances to regional to face Evansville North

North defeats JHS in regional final; Red Devils win first sectional championship since 2012

All photos by Parker McCloskey.

The varsity Red Devil starting lineup line up before the national anthem. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

17 Oct 202517 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

Boys’ soccer wins sectional tournament, heads to regional tonight to face Evansville North

Red Devils win first Sectional championship since 2012 by defeating Bedford North Lawrence 5-0

Sophomore Gabriel Belandria Gonzalez stands and admires the rain during the Red Devil match-up with Jennings County in the sectional tournament. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

15 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

Sophomore excels for both JV, varsity soccer as sectional time approaches

by Isabella Stewart and Mahalia Smith

This year’s boys’ soccer team has had many new athletes introduced to the team, and the stands have filled up more than ever this season. Sophomore Ariel Andres Sandoval has played exceptionally well this season; his teammates speak highly of him.

Sandoval has played soccer for over 10 years; he knows most of his teammates from way back in elementary school soccer. With all that time, he has grown close with his teammates, and they could be perceived as family.

Sophomore Dylan Ortiz said he admired Sandoval’s loyalty and passion for soccer – the way he never gives up on the field, always pushing his teammates to be the best and giving them challenging opportunities to push themselves.

Aside from playing soccer, another hobby Sandoval really enjoys is reading and writing poems. When he’s not on the court, he’s reading or writing, even studying architecture.

Sandoval said his “biggest challenge in soccer is my mentality.” He has always been pushed to be good, but being great still comes with struggles.

Sandoval said, “Remembering the reason why, followed by the people I’m playing soccer with, keeps me motivated through every game.”

Sandoval and Ortiz both really look up to their team captain, senior Elijah Cheeks. Sandoval said, “He is always keeping me on my feet for every game we face.”

Cheeks is always there on the field helping every teammate out whenever he feels like he’s needed; he is there. Cheeks said, “I enjoy helping my teammates and helping them get better every day, not just as a soccer player, but as a person, too.”

Ortiz described Sandoval as “courageous.” He’s not deterred by danger; he’s brave and fearless, and Ortiz said, “that could be one of his biggest strengths.”

Sandoval loves a good meal after games; his favorite food is chicken, and typically after a game he enjoys a nice meal of chicken wings to provide protein and energy for the next game.

Sandoval strongly believes “the team will win sectionals in October and advance even more.”

Sectional play begins next Monday at Floyd Central at 7 p.m.; the Red Devils will face Jennings County.

Sophomore Ariel Andres Sandoval looks on during the JHS game against Floyd Central. Sandoval said his motto is “fear prevents opportunities.” Photo by Isabella Stewart.

Sophomore Ariel Andres Sandoval displays his jersey number game during the JHS game against Floyd Central. Photo by Isabella Stewart.

1 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

Boys’ soccer prepares for sectional

by Aubrey Cummings

Pushing themselves as hard as they can for the 80 minutes that the match lasts. Heads up and hearts pounding every touch of the ball sends it moving across the field. With a shared goal, getting the ball into the net, the team moves as a unit across the field.

Ranked 36th in the state and 27th in their class, the varsity boys’ soccer team is moving along in their season.

Currently they are 12-3-1 and are second in the Hoosier Hills Conference for varsity and are 7-5-2 for JV. As the end of their season begins to approach for both teams they all begin to prepare for sectionals, with a normal goal of wanting to win sectionals and advance to regionals.

Head varsity coach Collin Bell explained, “It’s all about the game that is happening. One game at a time, one set of 80 minutes. If we push ourselves for those 80 minutes and commit ourselves for those 80 minutes, we will be successful.”

This was shown in their game against Franklin this year. The team had many teams cut from their schedule and many new ones added. They have faced tougher teams than they normally would. They do this to better themselves and to allow for them to be better prepared for the competition at the end.

“It’s all about the game that is happening. One game at a time, one set of 80 minutes. If we push ourselves for those 80 minutes and commit ourselves for those 80 minutes, we will be successful.”
Head Coach Collin Bell

“I think it’s a great change because it allows for us to adjust to playing new teams that we haven’t seen before, so it is a good way for us to test ourselves against teams that are considered better teams,“ said junior Alan Solorzano Lopez.

Junior Alan Soloranzo Lopez kicks the ball during the Male High School game. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

The varsity team isn’t the only one beginning to prepare for sectionals. Six of the JV members have the opportunity to go with the varsity boys to the sectional games.

“Knowing there’s a chance for us to go with the varsity team to sectionals encourages us on JV to push ourselves harder to show we are the best to try and claim our spots,” stated freshman JV member Dominic Cummings.

Doing this allows for younger boys to know what they may have the chance to experience in the near future. This allows for the program to continue to grow. The future also depends on some of the varsity boys as well as the JV.

“The pressure feels greater not just because I am a goalie, but also because I am a freshman, so I am representing more than just my varsity team but also my classmates on JV,” said varsity freshman Jafet Benitez-Rubio.

Benitez-Rubio is not just on the varsity team; he is the starter goalie as a freshman. This is significant every, and everyone knows it. The student section in games makes sure everyone knows by cheering “He’s a freshman” whenever he stops a ball from going in.

The team’s spirits are high as ever. The team feels confident and are preparing to have a different outcome than last year where they lost in the final round to Seymour.

The Red Devils play Jennings County next Monday in the opening round of sectionals at Floyd Central High School at 7 p.m.

Senior Shlomo Tshimbalanga guards the ball from his defending New Albany opponent. JHS won 2-0. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

1 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

New Albany defeats JHS 5-0 last night

Senior Katrina Britt welcomes the fans as her name is called in the starting lineup at last night’s game against New Albany. The Bulldogs won 5-0. The Red Devils play at Center Grove this Saturday. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

26 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Girls’ soccer defeats Columbus East 4-1

All photos by Malachi Conrad.

The Red Devils celebrate after scoring a goal to tie the game against Columbus East. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

24 Sep 202525 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Girls’ soccer Red Devils defeat Charlestown 5-1 Wednesday; will play Columbus East and New Albany next week

The JHS girls’ soccer team prays before their match against Charlestown on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The Red Devils won 5-1. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

19 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS defeats Jennings County, falls to Male High School; will play Bedford-North Lawrence this Saturday

by Parker McCloskey

As they prepare to face Southern Indiana rival Bedford-North Lawrence this Saturday, the Jeffersonville Red Devils come off a 7-0 win against Jennings County last weekend, and a tough 3-2 loss against the Male High School Bulldogs on Tuesday night.

The first half of last night’s Male game resulted in no points scored on either team. The second half started out with a goal for Jeff, scored by junior Alan Soloranzo Lopez, then a second goal for Jeff scored by junior halfback Bryan Juarez De La Luz.

“I think the team could’ve been more active; during the second half we could’ve shown more energy and fighting spirit against Male,” said Juarez.

The team is optimistic about Saturday’s game against BNL.

“We’re going to have a good time. This team is different from other Jeff teams in the past; we’re going to learn from our mistakes and hopefully take home a victory against BNL, ” said Juarez.

Jeff still remains in second place in the Hoosier Hills Conference with a 3-1 HHC record and a 8-3-1 overall record. This Saturday the Devils travel to Bedford-North Lawrence to face off against the Stars.

All photos by Parker McCloskey and Malachi Conrad.

Junior Bryan Juarez De La Luz dribbles the ball in the Red Devil game against Jennings County on Saturday, Sept. 13. JHS won 7-0. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

17 Sep 202517 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Junior Scarlett McRae succeeds in soccer and in wrestling

by Aubrey Cummings

Coming from a family of soccer players, the sport has always been a big part of Scarlett McRae’s life. McRae, a junior at Jeff High, has been playing soccer for almost 10 years now.

“If I had to pick one person that has inspired me the most when it comes to soccer, I would have to say my dad. Not only has he taught me about soccer my whole life, but he is also there after games to give me feedback, good and bad,” said McRae.

Junior Scarlett McRae on the field at a soccer practice. McRae is a dual sport athlete, playing soccer and wrestling for JHS. Photo by Aubrey Cummings.

In her three years on the Jeff High girls’ soccer team, McRae has had many accomplishments. Her freshman year she was awarded with The Rookie of the Year award. Halfway through her sophomore year she set a record for the most goals scored for the girls´ team and will continue on to add to that record this year.

Earning these accomplishments has put a lot of pressure on McRae to keep being the one of the best. This pressure has taken a toll on her confidence in her abilities. In order to overcome her lack of confidence before games she said, “I pray before games and then just go with the flow, remembering that it’s okay to make mistakes and that I don’t have to be perfect.”

McRae isn’t just a part of the Jeff soccer team, but also the Racing Louisville Academy team. It’s a great opportunity to get her name out there and to be seen by colleges and professional teams.

After high school McRae plans to go to college for sports physiology. She also wants to play for her college team and eventually for a professional team.

“She makes me want to keep getting better so I can improve and beat her but not in a super competitive way but in the way that we both want to make the team the best it can be,” stated Junior Abi Lemon, a teammate of McRae’s on the field and the mat.

Though soccer is her main sport, McRae is also a part of the girls´ wrestling team. She started her freshman year when Sian Rogers, a senior on the soccer and wrestling team, convinced her to give it a try, telling her it would help her at soccer.

Junior Scarlett McRae wrestles her opponent at the JHS meet with Moore High School in 2024. Photo by Ethan Bronson.

After a week of wrestling she decided it wasn’t for her but she still wanted to be involved, deciding to be a manager instead. By doing this she was allowed at the practices and meets. As time passed she realized how much fun her friends were having and decided to rejoin towards the end of that season. That year she made it to Semi-state with her team before ending the season. She then chose to come back the following year to continue to improve.

Wrestling coach Danny Struck described McRae as a driven and dedicated player.

“When given the opportunity Scarlett is always open to improving; she keeps her eye on her goals and does the things that make her and her team better,” he said.

McRae said competing in both sports has helped her compete on the soccer field and on the wrestling mat.

“Soccer allowed for me to have better and quicker foot work in wrestling that most girls didn’t have, and wrestling taught me how to not get pushed off the ball as easily and stand my ground in soccer.”

McRae has been described as a leader in everything she does. She strives to be the best person she can be and to help whoever she can. She looks forward to trying to beat Floyd Central and New Albany, along with helping her teammates score more this soccer season.

Going into wrestling later this year, she wants to win as many matches as she can and make it to state.

“Coming into both seasons I am excited to win,” McRae explained. “Also to help my teammates succeed and to see how far we can go.”

15 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen