The girls soccer team had an amazing start to their season, winning their first eight games.

“This season has been very good so far,” junior Harper Wintz said. “This year our team has a lot of depth, which helps us a lot when playing good teams.”

The goals for this season are to stay in the game.

“We always have three goals for a season – 1. win the Titan Classic; 2. win the AVCTL I; 3. win a regional championship,” coach Paul Burke said.

After starting 8-0, the Panthers lost to unbeaten Eisenhower in double overtime on April 17.

“I definitely felt under pressure from being undefeated for eight games because there was a big target on us, and we knew teams were going to try to break our streak,” Wintz said.

Sophomore Jocelyn Lumbreras added: “The Eisenhower game felt nerve-wracking for everyone because this can determine which team is better.”

Both teams had handled their previous opponents with ease.

“The Eisenhower game was definitely filled with nerves, but I think we played well,” Wintz said. “Going into double overtime isn’t easy, but the wind also played a big role in the game.”

With junior Lilly Emmerson coming back from her ACL injury, the team has had a valuable player come back.

“Lilly is a good player for us and adds a lot of experience out on the field,” Burke said.

Having one of your buddies come back from injury makes this season more connected.

“I’ve had a very positive start to the season, especially getting back to playing with Lilly Emmerson after her injury,” Wintz said. “We connect very well together.”

The Panthers hadn’t lost again heading into the final weeks of the season. They even got a 1-0 win over Maize on April 22, their first since 2005. The Panthers have only beaten Maize twice in program history.

“To my knowledge the last time Derby girls soccer beat Maize was in 2005,” Burke said. “It was a huge result to beat them. I’m very excited to be a part of that game and to get the win.”

The focus for the rest of their season — staying mentally in the game.

“Win the rest of our games and stay mentally tough,” Wintz said. “Then give it our all during the postseason.”

Burke agrees with the goal.

“Hopefully we can finish the regular season strong and take some momentum into the postseason,” Burke said.