Libby Pullen | The Chronicle
For the first time since 2021, the Mason High School (MHS) girls varsity soccer team defeated Oak Hills on Thursday, September 18th, securing a 3–0 victory that kept the Comets undefeated in conference play and put them back in control of the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) title.
It was senior captain and starting forward Anna Habra’s fourth game against Oak Hills in her high school career, yet it was not just another rivalry match. Instead, it was a chance to change the outcome of past seasons and show the Comets’ growth.
Senior Anna Habra carries the ball during the
Comets’ match against Oak Hills.
“[After] all of the previous losses we’ve had against [Oak Hills] and seeing their success, we wanted that to be us,” Habra said. We know it could have been us last year. So stepping up this year, knowing the fate was in our hands, we [knew we could] just take it from them.”
The Comets’ win over Oak Hills allowed them to clinch the top spot in the GMC. However, to secure the championship, the Comets faced the challenge of remaining undefeated in the regular season. Their final match against Sycamore on October 15th would determine the 2025 GMC champions.
“We’ve already beaten the two best teams in the conference,” Habra said. “But there are three more GMC games, and [those teams are] good as well.”
Going into the last few games of the conference season, the Comets remained focused and determined to finish out strong. Now in her third year as head coach, Sami Cunningham knew she could rely on the team’s experience going down the stretch.
“We have juniors and seniors who have been around us for a while, so they understand our coaching style, and that helps the team click,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham felt this team had the mentality to maintain their focus on getting the Comets back on top in the GMC. The collaboration of this team has pushed them past minor issues and carried them to the top.
“We didn’t win [our first three games], which is uncharacteristic,” Cunningham said. “But I think they trusted that they were going to be good. We just had to have the pieces click at some point. And it was their patience, trust in each other, trust in the coaches, and just figuring each other out that got us there.”
Players on the Mason girls varsity soccer team stand for the national anthem during their match against Oak Hills.
Junior captain Parker Evans, the Comets’ starting center back, recently committed to play Division I soccer at the University of Iowa. Evans said the team’s success this season has come from finding the right balance between individual strengths and teamwork, a mindset that has helped them win games few expected them to.
“The hardest challenge that we have had to overcome was figuring out how we all play and how to put all of our individual talent together as a team,” Evans said.
Initiating the cohesive portion of the sport gave the Comets the edge required to win challenging games, such as the win over Oak Hills, which has typically been the most challenging GMC match for the Comets.
“Beating Oak Hills was a huge accoplishment for the team,” Evans said. “[This win] made us realize how much potential we have as a team and how good we can play. I think this motivated us because they were undefeated, and we beat them.”
The MHS girls varsity soccer team maintained momentum following their Oak Hills victory and remained undefeated in the GMC. On October 15th, the Comets defeated the Aviators 3-0, resulting in their first conference championship since 2021.
“It was awesome to win the GMC after not coming out on top the last few years, and this means a lot to our team and program,” Evans said. “We have worked hard, stayed focused, and bought into the process. [We are] excited to keep this momentum up in the postseason.”
