The Chaska Girls Soccer team got its season underway with a match against the Andover Tornadoes on Aug. 29 at the Chaska soccer pitch. The 2026 team includes seven seniors and seven juniors and is again coached by Chris Bagshaw. Captains for the season are midfielder Kaia Quale, midfielder Abigail Link and defender Chloe Davey.
The game opened as many early-season games do, with both teams working hard to demonstrate the skills and tactics they had been developing throughout the off season. After a few minutes of settling into a rhythm, Andover seemed to have an edge in keeping the ball at the Chaska end of the pitch. Chaska did get shots on goal, but Andover maintained the advantage in possession and pressure.
With back-and-forth play throughout the first half, the game remained 0-0 at halftime. During the break, the coach and captains stressed the importance of keeping tight gaps in their matchups and maintaining good positioning while on offense and defense.
The halftime comments seemed to be put into practice as the second half opened with a much more even back-and-forth between the teams. Play kept to the outside of the field, cutting down Andover’s chances in the middle of the field. Second-half play also saw increased efficiency for Chaska, with passes connecting and moving the ball up the field.
Andover was effective with its tackling and prevented many Chaska plays from advancing significantly into its end of the field. Chaska’s defensive players, with key touches and clears, included junior Maddie Schaffer, junior Adeline Moss, senior Anjeli Orndorff and senior Chloe Davey, along with others. Their defensive efforts seemed to give the midfielders opportunities to play the ball effectively.
Senir Emerson Oye was in goal for the Hawks and provided timely direction to her teammates throughout the game.
With 4:57 left in the game, both teams appeared to be showing signs of fatigue. Andover scored on a well-placed shot just over the reach of Chaska’s goalie, giving Andover the win in the opening match for both teams.
After the game, the coaches praised the team for a great effort in their opening game. While the outcome was not what the team had hoped for, the coaches pointed out aspects of the game that worked well and recognized that the team now has good insight into tactics to work on going forward.
The Hawks next take on Holy Family on Sept. 1 and return home on Sept. 3 to meet Owatonna.
