The Girls’ Varsity soccer team began their 2025 season undefeated, and if their momentum continues, this streak isn’t ending any time soon. Their success is no accident, but a result of weeks of dedicated training, sharp strategy and undeniable team chemistry.
The team kicked off with a preseason trip to the Berkshires: a mix of intense training and team bonding that Head Coach Tara Heatley described as “setting the tone” for the months ahead. Days included up to three training sessions, scrimmages and fun activities like a talent show or sitting around the campfire. “We left the Berkshires a family,” stated Anna Brandmeyer ’26, while teammate Shelby Kimmelman ’27 added, “The team treats everyone like family.”
The preseason retreat gave the players, especially the new underclassmen, a chance to build a new, unbreakable team atmosphere that would soon define their play. As they began practicing in the late summer heat on Poly Prep’s turf, their strength spoke for itself.
Back in Brooklyn, the team carried their momentum into their season’s opening scrimmages against Grace Church and Brooklyn Tech, securing the wins and debuting the team’s new bond. “Defense is the first thing we go over,” said Heatley. “How to be organized in the back and make sure we understand the roles we need each player to have when on the field.” The structure paid off: Poly didn’t let in a goal until their sixth Ivy League match.
Much of that strength comes from experienced upperclassmen who anchor the back line and midfield. Among them is Bowdoin College commit Bo Casey ’26, who has been vital to Poly’s soccer team since eighth grade. Casey captains alongside Harper Goergen ’26, Brandmeyer, and Abby Mangerson ’26, a UC Santa Cruz commit, forming a leadership core that keeps the team grounded and focused on their goals.
These four star players are just a few of the seniors who have played an essential role in the team’s success, and their leadership has not gone unnoticed. “The seniors do a great job of getting everyone through the game and keeping everybody positive and motivated,” said Sienna Roter ’27.
As we look at the other side of the pitch to the offensive end, the underclassmen are securing endless goals, with players such as Victoria Siklas ’29 and Lillian Ziff ’29 bringing fresh energy to the front line. Heatley praised the young players for how they have quickly and seamlessly incorporated themselves into the squad.
Beyond the game itself, the team stands out in its culture. Each practice holds energy and high vibes that manage to transform regular training into a session each player can look forward to everyday. Sam Wyckoff ’28 explained how the girls around her make her feel “comfortable” each and every practice.
And of course, behind the scenes of the team’s success is Coach Tara Heatley herself, demonstrating her impressive coaching skills in her fourth year as Girls’ Varsity Soccer Head Coach. As the team prepares for tougher opponents in the NYSAIS playoffs, they remain focused on one shared goal. In the words of Sienna Roter ’27, the team’s “positive vibes will carry” them through the season: a fitting mantra for the undefeated team that thrives off their unity.
