Freshman forward/midfielder Sofia Wilson wasn’t quite sure what to expect when she was inserted into Marist’s varsity starting lineup right away to begin her high school career.
Wilson was a bit apprehensive about taking on juniors and seniors.
“I was really nervous,” Wilson said. “The biggest challenge was knowing I’d be playing against girls who are bigger than me, just trying to get around them since they’re huge and they’re older.”
At 5-foot-3, Wilson may be smaller than most of her opponents. But she made varsity soccer look easy Monday night, scoring two goals to lead the host RedHawks to a 4-3 win over archrival Mother McAuley in Chicago.
Mia Sherry also scored twice for Marist (4-2). Molly Boyle and Addison Woodward each tallied an assist, while Caitlin Schofield made three saves.
Calli Edwards recorded a hat trick for McAuley (3-3). All three goals came in a span of 6:30 in the second half as the Mighty Macs nearly rallied all the way back from a 4-0 deficit. Lucy Gray finished with six saves.
Wilson, who entered the game with one goal, played forward for the first time this season, moving up from midfielder. She responded with the first multi-goal game of her high school career.
Marist coach Chris Roe was certainly happy with how the change worked out.
“Sofia’s been playing outside mid,” Roe said. “This is the first time we had her and Mia at forward together. We’ve just been toying with it, and it looks like that could be a really good combination up top for us.”
Wilson scored the game’s first goal just over 10 minutes into the first half on a beautiful finish as she ripped Boyle’s cross into the net out of midair on a volley.
“That was really exciting,” Wilson said. “Everyone came and gave me a hug, and that really felt good.”
And making such a big impact in her first experience playing in a Marist-Mother McAuley game was even more special.
“I really liked it,” Wilson said. “I think it was one of the most intense games, and it was definitely a lot of fun.”
Wilson’s second goal came in the final minute of the first half when she got her foot on the ball in front of the net and directed it into the net off a scramble following Woodward’s free kick.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that Wilson has been ready to take on bigger and more experienced players.
She grew up with two older brothers, Aydan and Ethan, who also played soccer for Marist.
“They were definitely really tough on me,” Sofia said. “They always kind of pushed me around so I became stronger. I learned how to push back and be more aggressive.
“I really look up to them and they teach me a lot. It’s really cool to be out here doing what they used to be doing, playing on this field at Marist.”
Sherry, meanwhile, has been in Wilson’s shoes. As a freshman last season, Sherry led the RedHawks with 12 goals. She’s up to eight already this spring.
“My advice to Sofia is to just make connections with the girls on our team,” Sherry said. “It makes it easier to have chemistry on the field. That’s what made it easy for me — getting close friendships and then being able to communicate better on the field.”
One connection seems to already be in place. Sherry and Wilson are quite the dynamic duo.
“I’m really impressed with how she moves off the ball,” Sherry said of Wilson. “She has really good soccer IQ, and that makes it easy to play with her up top.
“I really like that.”
