Now in his third season of soccer at LCA, Coach Schenk has seen firsthand how quickly players from different schools can become a team.

“My favorite moment from this season was spending time with the team while traveling to Vashon Island,” he shared. “From enjoying the view on the ferry with the players to playing games in the Vashon High School gym before the game, I had a lot of fun getting to know the team better.”

Those moments away from competition have helped build the connection that shows up on the field.

What has impressed Coach Schenk most is the team’s ability to remain positive and supportive through adversity. With a small roster and players representing a wide range of experience and ability, every athlete has been asked to contribute in important ways.

“I’m most proud of this team for working through adversity and continuing to have a positive attitude,” he said. “It can be very hard to have a good attitude when things don’t go our way, but the girls on the Academies team make it look easy.”

That encouragement is especially evident among LCA’s three players: Grace Kelly, Evie Timmer, and Savannah-Grace Skiff.

Grace has distinguished herself through her work ethic and leadership, consistently encouraging and supporting her teammates in practices and games. Evie brings energy and humor, helping keep the team loose with her jokes and spot-on impersonations. Savannah-Grace brings toughness, physicality, and skill to the pitch, demonstrating confidence with the ball at her feet.

“Each player brings something unique and different to the team,” Coach Schenk said, “which makes coaching them a blessing and a blast.”

The Academies partnership also reminds everyone what can happen when two communities work together toward a shared goal. Neither school would currently have the numbers to field a girls’ high school soccer team independently, but together they have created an opportunity for students to compete, develop their skills, and build relationships beyond their own campus.

“As a coach, it has been awesome to see both groups of girls come together and support each other as if they attended the same school,” Coach Schenk said.

For The Academies, success this season is measured in more than goals and wins. It shows up in resilience, laughter, leadership, ferry rides, and the way a group of athletes from two schools has learned to compete as one team.