As Fort Worth ISD celebrates Women’s History Month, ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ« is honoring those who made history in sports for the Team Tuesday theme. The soccer team at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy made history this season by playing its first season and winning its first game in school history.
The first win couldn’t have come in more spectacular fashion as YWLA erased a 2-1 lead in the final 10 minutes of the match thanks to two goals from Nora Jordan. YWLA beat Eastern Hills 3-2 thanks to a hat trick from Jordan, something she had manifested since she was in the seventh grade.
“Honestly it feels crazy to be part of the first soccer team at YWLA,” Jordan said. “I have been asking for a soccer team since my seventh grade year. To actually have a soccer team is surprising.”
Jordan is a sophomore center-middle forward helping lead a young team through its first season on the pitch. Making the playoffs in the first season isn’t necessarily a goal for the team, according to senior left wing forward Bianca Olmos, but the team believes in its ability to continue making history by qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in school history.
“Honestly, our goal is just to have fun,” Olmos said. “It is our first year and we’re still learning, but it would be awesome to make the playoffs. I think we can do it.”
As of Tuesday, March 5, YWLA holds the last playoff spot in District 7-4A. Benbrook, Diamond Hill-Jarvis and Eastern Hills are ahead of YWLA in the district standings, according to Max Preps. Western Hills, Carter-Riverside and Dunbar are currently on the outside of the playoff picture. YWLA has district games against Carter-Riverside, Benbrook and Western Hills remaining. Wins over Carter-Riverside and Western Hills would clinch a playoff spot for YWLA in its first season playing soccer.
YWLA clinching a playoff spot in its first season playing soccer would be historic, but it’s an opportunity the team has because of the commitment the team has to growing together each day. Junior right-wing forward Mia Carmona knows that growth could power YWLA to a playoff berth.
“[Our team chemistry] has grown a lot,” Carmona said. “At the start of the season we were all over the place. We didn’t know how to communicate with each other on the pitch. Now we actually know how to communicate and pass the ball to each other.”
Regardless of if YWLA is able to win enough games over the last two weeks of district play to qualify for the playoffs, Coach Maria Ortiz is thankful for the opportunity to coach the first soccer team at YWLA and for the players she has on the team this year.
“I was so excited to coach and the girls were so excited to have a soccer team,” Ortiz said. “I get chills just thinking about making the playoffs. I’m excited and I am excited for [the players].”
Bringing soccer to YWLA wasn’t the easiest process, but the team is trying its best to reward the effort with a playoff appearance. YWLA Athletic Coordinator Akua Twumasi knew how important bringing soccer to the school community was to families and made it happen thanks to an opening in the schedule.
“Even before I took this role on there had been a big desire to have soccer on this campus,” said Twumasi. “Our kids love soccer, their families love soccer, so we knew this had to happen. It ended up that the way the scheduled played out there was room for our team. We didn’t know what the next steps would be, but we knew we needed to take advantage of the opportunity.”
Twumasi knew Jordan wanted to play soccer in high school and also knew Jordan would have opportunities to play at other schools if YWLA couldn’t bring a soccer team to campus.
“When we first found out there would be an opportunity for us [to add soccer] Nora was the first person I thought of,” Twumasi said. “She also played flag football for us. We tried to bide our time with her until we could add soccer and we’re really glad Nora chose to stay with us and trust us to eventually add soccer.”
“I love hearing all the stories from practices and games about how well she is doing. [Nora] is just so happy when I see her [around]. Soccer has been a big part of her life so I’m glad we were able to add a soccer team at YWLA. Everything we do we keep the kids in mind.”
The impact the new soccer program has had extends beyond just Jordan. All the players on the team expressed a gratitude for having the opportunity to play soccer and to be a part of the historic first team in school history. Every YWLA soccer player to come after this group will have these players, Twumasi and Ortiz to thank for bringing soccer to YWLA. Sophomore goalkeeper Sally Al Imari expressed her gratitude for being able to compete on the pitch regardless of the final score.
“I feel like it’s a privilege to be part of the first soccer team at YWLA,” Al Imari said. “The fact that we’re making history as the first team at YWLA is so cool. We made it happen.”
History has already been made as the team has delivered the first season and the first win in school history. Regardless of if a playoff appearance is in the cards, ÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ´óÈ« is proud of the administration, coaches and players at YWLA for their perseverance in bringing this program to campus! Good luck the rest of the season, YWLA!
