Click! The sound of cameras could be heard on the field Saturday morning as the Lady Spartans soccer team posed in front of their new city champions banner. They had just taken on the Cordova High School girls’ soccer team, defeating them 9-0 with captain Jazmin Trejo contributing one goal and captain Maimuna Kanuteh contributing two goals.
Success is a common characteristic among proficient leaders. Kanuteh reflected on one of her own successes this season that she saw as a pivotal moment in her career. The Lady Spartans had taken on St. George’s High School in a tough battle.
“We were down 0-2 by halftime and then in the first 15 minutes we scored… with the help of my teammate Jazmin,” Kanuteh said. “There was definitely a shift in the energy after that and it was much easier to lead my team when it felt like we had a chance.”
Playing a physical sport comes with many risks and makes one vulnerable to injuries. This was the case for Trejo in which she suffered an ACL tear that cost her many practices and playing time.
“It made me realize how much I missed [the game] … and scoring,” Trejo said. “When I first touched the ball [again] I really felt it, like it was heartfelt. I was back with my team and soccer in general makes me happy … it felt good.”
Although injuries can be detrimental to one’s career, the Lady Spartans do their best to make the most out of their situation. They do not let it affect their duties as captains.
“Just being on the sidelines helps me see better everybody on the field,” Rathsathida Rasasack (12) said. “It helps me see them personally and not just as a player.”
Not only does the responsibility of being captain allow the skills of others to be improved, but it also improves one’s personal abilities. Trejo emphasizes vocality on the field and how this has helped her build self-confidence, both as a player and as a person.
“I play midfield, so [by] controlling midfield and telling people where to go and what to do, [we] have a better system on the field to score,” Trejo said.
Being a model for her teammates, Maimuna says that it’s important to maintain a level head, take responsibility, and keep oneself together. This allows for the creation of a personal bond between teammates that contributes to an encouraging and comfortable playing environment.
“[I try to be] the teammate that you needed at a rough point in your life,” Kanuteh said.
As the final season for the senior captains comes to a close, their impact on the team becomes increasingly evident. Coach Shelley Rose reflects on their overall performance.
“My captains are good team leaders,” Rose said. “They set examples and are good role models for the other girls on the team. They have good character, they’re good in school as well as on the soccer field, they have good attitude, [and] good work ethic.”
