Freedom’s girls’ soccer team is a defending District XI champion, and with that achievement comes a high level of experience it will bring to the 2020 season.

Key returners will be Haley Gschrey (F), Jade Hofman (DEF), Emma Holder (DEF), Megan Raffino (GK), Addy Roemersma (Md), Abi Sipel (F/Md), and Natalia Triscari (F).

“I think the strengths of the team lie in the fact that they know how to win and what it takes to do so,” said Patriot coach Bob Eaton.

Of course, some of those district champs have graduated.

“We need to first, identify those girls who will step into the roles of the girls who graduated this spring,” Coach Eaton said, “and second, develop their technical and tactical skills to fit the needs of the team, all the while building depth across all positions.”

But for the Pates, it’s not all about the gold and never was.

“As was the case last year, no expectations, no pressure on the girls, we only ask that they work hard and have fun,” said Eaton. “Overall we had a very good summer, particularly in light of what was going around all of us. Both the returning and new players demonstrated a strong level of commitment in preparing for the season.”

Freedom’s first game is scheduled for Sept. 25 at Northampton before hosting the Konkrete Kids on Sept. 28.