Rays Girls' Soccer Looks to Fix Breakdowns

Marco Island Academy’s girls’ soccer coach Jax Wantlin likes what she sees so far from her veteran team as they wrapped up the 2024 portion of their schedule with a hard-fought 4-2 loss to Community School on Monday, December 9, and a 5-1 loss at Donahue Catholic on Friday, December 13.

The Rays were tied 2-2 with Community School after Grace Elliott fired in a 30-yarder with 25:39 left in the match before giving up a pair of goals to the Seahawks.

Wantlin is looking for consistency from her squad, that fields five seniors. But the Rays also have their share of youngsters.

“Seniors Helen Totten and Mary Montgomery are our captains,” Wantlin said. “I think they do a really good job of trying to get everybody organized and working as a team and energized with a great attitude. We have a lot of younger players, some of them haven't experienced or played as much. So, it's kind of hard because you have half and half. You're trying to meet in the middle. I think we’re doing pretty good trying to balance it out.”

Wantlin said she is looking for consistency from her team.

“We have some moments where we just break down a little bit,” she said, "and if we can fix that, we will be good." 

Overall Wantlin, who is assisted by her sister Alex Wantlin, is pleased with her team’s progress.

"I would say we’re doing pretty good,” Wantlin said. “Most games we did really good. I think this crew is doing a really good job this year. We're kind of just taking it game by game, seeing how we go with Districts being our main focus. My younger sister is doing a good job helping me out. We balance each other out teaching these girls. And we're learning from them, too. I think they just play good. I'm very happy with them." 

MIA returns to action on Monday, Jan. 13, when they travel to Southwest Florida Christian (2-5-1).