Appoquinimink High School’s girls soccer team clinched its second straight DIAA Division I state championship, defeating Odessa 3‑0 on a crisp Saturday afternoon.
A Historic Run
Two of the goals came from meticulously rehearsed set pieces, while the third was a swift counterattack that caught the opposition off guard.
Kelsey Beatie sealed the win in the 58th minute, finishing a move that began with a corner kick and ended with a precise strike.
The Jaguars finished the season with a record of 15‑1‑1, the solitary loss stemming from a forfeit caused by an administrative error rather than on‑field performance.
A national poll placed the team at No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches Association’s spring girls soccer rankings, underscoring the program’s growing reputation.
Coach Lance Berry praised the collective effort, singling out the seven seniors who had contested four state title games and emerged victorious in the last two.
Berry described the senior class as the most accomplished he had ever coached, noting their leadership both on and off the pitch.
The seniors include twin sisters Waryn and Mariana Catania, Kelsey Beatie, Avery Holland, Lyra Ardila, Katherine VanEiken and Kaylee Hope, each of whom contributed key moments throughout the campaign.
Their blend of experience and youthful vigor helped the team navigate a challenging schedule and maintain a high level of play against elite competition.
With the championship trophy now in hand, the Jaguars look ahead to the next season with optimism, confident that their tradition of excellence will continue.