After previous success from hiring professional soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo to join the boys varsity soccer team, NC decided to do the same for the girls varsity soccer team. Beginning the season off to a rocky start, Head Coach Brandon Shields struck a deal with Megan Rapinoe hoping she would help the team make a run to the state championship. Megan Rapinoe competes at the highest level, playing for the number one ranked United States women’s national team and OL Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). 

“The girls varsity soccer team still has a chance to make it to the playoffs. We just need to go out there, play our best, and win out the rest of the season. It has been difficult for the team to put up many points thus far, but that will change with Rapinoe’s ability to put the ball in the back of the net. Once we start scoring more, I think we can make it all the way to state,” Shields said.

Rapinoe brings to the team not only her skills but also her leadership. As captain for the OL Reign, she possesses the intellect and experience needed to play the game. Overall, Rapinoe will make a smooth transition and provide the team with the missing parts needed for success.

“Megan Rapinoe is an amazing player and great role model. I have looked up to her my whole life, and she is part of the reason I started playing soccer in the first place. It has been frustrating this season knowing that we are capable of doing really well, but something is just not clicking. I think that Rapinoe is who we need to help us make things click into place,” NC senior midfielder Chloe Grant said.

Unlike with the addition of Ronaldo, Rapinoe does not cause major disruptions and conflict within the team. Never showing off or trying to embarrass the other players, Rapinoe exudes a humble spirit that has produced an unbreakable bond amongst the teammates. Although it may seem as though she knows more than the coach at times, she respects his authority and refrains from overstepping the boundaries.

“I respect Coach Shields and all of the players. I see how hard everyone is working and things are going great. If I were to act like a bigshot, it would not be helping anyone. I know what it takes to succeed, and teamwork is a big part of it,” Rapinoe said.

NC principal Matt Moody expresses his contentment with the decision to hire Rapinoe and blow all $4.9 million dollars of the budget once again. The school budget only just recovered from paying for Ronaldo, but they deemed Rapinoe well worth it. Funds from increased ticket sales during the season with Ronaldo contributed to the water and electricity bill that the school previously cut out of the budget when the soccer team initially blew the budget. This allows water to run for an hour a day as opposed to 22 minutes and the electricity to run until 5:00 p.m. 

“Ronaldo boosted our school reputation, and everyone thought he was the ultimate investment. However, Rapinoe is special and truly the ultimate investment. Blowing the budget again was one thousand percent worth it. When we win nationals, the first time ever in the history of NC girls soccer, our school will be forever changed and forever grateful. Rapinoe is the best thing to ever happen to this school,” Moody said.

April Fool’s, you fool!

XOXO,

The Chant