The Cathedral Prep Girls Soccer team did something extra special for their seniors on Senior Night this past Thursday, Oct. 3. During their game against Fairview, the girls team decided to bring the Villa spirit back to life. This year’s senior class is the last group of students who attended Villa Maria Academy before the consolidation with Prep. After they graduate this year, the Villa experience will officially be a memory only held by alumni. This sparked the decision to wear the former Villa jerseys during the Senior Night Game. This throwback was a tribute to the seniors on this team, Haley Stadler and Olivia Dixon, for their dedication to the team, even through the change from Villa blue to Prep orange.
The consolidation of Prep and Villa brought about many changes. In athletics, the Villa teams had to adjust to a whole new name to play for. Specifically for the girls’ soccer team, the consolidation brought many different perspectives that taught everyone important lessons. The girls who have played for both programs had the task of carrying on the Villa traditions to the Cathedral Prep program, on and off the field.
Senior captain Haley Stadler spoke about the important Villa traditions that carry on.
“I would say definitely Mary’s Day was an important tradition,” Haley said. “The blue jersey tribute last Thursday was so important because the class of 2025 is the last group of girls that got to experience Villa. There is now no one left who got to experience how great Villa was, and it was nice to honor our school one last time.”
On Thursday when the girls suited up in blue, they brought the memories of Villa back to life. It gave the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen on the team a brief glimpse into what Villa soccer looked like. The realization: it looks almost the same as it does now. The mindsets, motivations, spirits, and overall goals of the Villa soccer team never changed as they went from Victors to Ramblers. The love for each other and the willingness to fight for one another never fluctuated, even as new faces and new routines were introduced.
“Our mindset and goals have always stayed the same,” head coach Peter Wagner said. “[Our goals] are to help produce the best soccer players and teammates we can, which leads to success on the field. I loved coaching for Villa and bring the same passion to the Prep girls program.”
While there were many changes that came when the Villa Maria Academy Victors consolidated with the Cathedral Prep Ramblers, a lot of things didn’t change at all. While the girls’ soccer team played for a new name, they still had the same goals. The close-knit community and shared passion to work hard for each other will always be a characteristic of this girls’ soccer program.
“Playing Prep and Villa soccer has made me a better person,” senior captain Olivia Dixon said. “I have grown over the years through the sisterhood and family here. This program has taught me what family is and how trust and communication is key to success.”
