Sandy High Girls Soccer Team Looks to Improve 2025 Record

With a very strong group of juniors that played a massive role in team successes last year as sophomores and a solid corps of senior leadership, it is anticipated that the Sandy High School girls’ soccer team will improve upon last year’s 4-9-2 record this season. 

Amongst a group of talented juniors, the team is defensively anchored by junior goalkeeper Hannah Winans. Winans became the team’s regular goalie during her freshman season on varsity. She has been a standout player and, more importantly, an outspoken leader for the team ever since. 

“I would say I’m really good at communicating with my team. I have also gotten a lot better at my distribution and footwork on the ball [since my freshman year],” Winans said.

Alongside a talent to lead and a good toolbox of technical ability, the junior also seems to have a comprehensive understanding and love for the mental aspect of manning the goal –  a common Achilles heel for those playing the position.

“It kind of sounds weird, but I love the pressure of it. I feel like it keeps me alert and ready in all game situations. I like the feeling of my team relying on me to make big saves,” Winans said. In a role where one small mistake can quite literally win or lose your team games, there’s more that goes into being a goalie than other positions on the field – arguably more than any position in any sport. 

“It’s important for me to be able to play well on my feet, not just my hands, because it expands the field and provides more options for the players around me. In soccer, it’s most important to keep possession of the ball; providing more options on the field allows the team to pass around more without losing the ball,” Winans explained. And obviously, with serious commitment to playing a sport, comes even more practice. Playing club soccer for the Eastside Timbers’ first team at her age group, Winans credits constant work, including time with a private trainer, and playing against top opponents in her age group (outside of the school season) as two of the biggest contributors in her growth.

Junior goalkeeper Hannah Winans punts the ball to her team.

“In club soccer, it’s girls who train all year round and are all around the same level. Club is more difficult to me, as the level of play and intensity are higher,” Winans said. This season, there is a clear goal to improve as a team under new coach Josh Westerman, the girls club’s third coach in as many years. 

“It’s been difficult for the team, having multiple different coaches over the last few years. It’s hard getting used to one coaching style, then getting it switched next year.

"Every coach we have had has brought something new and impactful to the team. I feel like we have grown a lot closer with each other and work really well under Coach Westermann’s style. It’s working really well and I’m really looking forward to this season,” Winans said. Personally, Winans hopes to be first-team all Mount Hood Conference this year. Her sophomore year, she received an honorable mention. As a team, the Pioneers hope to finish top four in their conference.

“I think with hard work we can achieve this, as we have a well-rounded team with lots of talent in different areas,” Winans said.