ITG Next spoke with Fletcher girls soccer head coach Bradley Plummer about the Senators’ run to the state championship, as well as what made this 2021-22 team so special.
Q: Congratulations on the state championship, Coach, as well as a great season overall. What in your mind made this 2021-22 group so special?
A: Their competitiveness I believe is what truly set this group apart. They love to compete. We have a great team chemistry, but every single girl on this team wants to win at everything they do, whether that be tic-tac-toe or a title game.
Q: Was there any point this season where you knew that this Fletcher girls soccer team had the potential to do something special?
A: We really peaked at the right time. We were fortunate to have good luck with injuries, but we really came together down the stretch. I did not expect a state title, but I did know that if we put forth our best effort night in and night out, that we would be very difficult to beat no matter the opponent. Just a great mix of skill, athleticism, and experience all over the field for us. That is a winning combination.
Q: This Senators team obviously had many impactful goals on the season, but arguably none more impactful than Angelina Madera’s in the state championship. Is there anything that went through your head when she scored that goal, as well as when the game ended?
A: When she scored, the reality of potentially bringing home a championship to the beach really hit me. We played unbelievably good defense for the last month of the season, so I knew that we had a great chance to grind out a win. Honestly, I felt like one goal may not be enough to seal the deal, but goalkeeper Taylor Sweat made an incredible save to preserve our lead and shutout.
Q: Lastly, can you talk a bit about the impact that this group of seniors had on this Fletcher program over the years, and what you will miss most about this group?
A: Their impact has been tremendous and the legacy they leave behind is even greater. Ang, Josey, and Bo finally bought in to leading this team the right way and it took us all the way to a state title. I can’t say enough about these seniors. Irreplaceable is the word that comes to mind to describe these three and their impact. They have set the tone and standard for Fletcher Girls Soccer for the future.
