The Wolverines tested the waters of competition Dec. 6, taking third place in the Mistletoe Classic in Newbury Park. They posted victories over Moorpark 17-4 and Cabrillo 16-7 in the first round and the quarterfinals of the tournament, respectively. A championship victory fell out of grasp when the squad lost to Newbury Park 8-5 in the semifinals, but  they rebounded back with an 8-3 win over Buena to claim third place.

“I think that we surprised a lot of people,” goalkeeper Daily Hartmeier ’16 said. “It was more of a learning experience than just trying to beat everyone. We still have a lot of work to do but we’re better than we expected to be.”

Hartmeier said the tournament was a good test of the team’s endurance.

“It was hard because most of the girls were continuously playing because we don’t have a lot of subs but I think the amount of work that we put in was really good,” Hartmeier said.

The team’s roster is larger thanks to three late additions to the squad. First time players Amira Yashruti ’17 and Megan Cohen ’17 joined the team at the start of the season, along with Genevieve Thomas ’16.

“Everyone has been so welcoming,” Thomas said. “It’s good that the team is a little larger now too because then the subs can give the starters more rest.”

The Mission League season does not start until early January. The team was supposed to play a non-league game against Mater Dei on Dec. 10, but there was a location mix-up where both schools drove to the other team’s pool. The game is yet to be officially rescheduled, but will probably be played in January or February, Hartmeier said.

Thomas thinks the the team is ready for league play which starts Jan. 9 against Notre Dame.

“What we don’t have in size, we make up for in work ethic,” Thomas said. “League will be tough, but I think with hard work, we can rise up and get the title.”