By: Emily Spotts

Athletic excellence runs deep at Holy Family University, where every team brings passion to the field or the court. But few captured the community’s spirit this season quite like the women’s soccer team. With months of training, travel, and determination, they fought their way toward a potential playoff berth—only to see their hopes slip away in the final match. Still, their season told a story of grit, unity, and unshakable belief in one another, leaving a legacy that stretches far beyond the scoreboard.

The women’s soccer team worked extremely hard this season, welcoming new teammates and forming a roster that balanced both experienced returners and a talented group of freshmen. The younger players did not just fill roles—they brought new energy, adaptability, and heart. Together, the team grew closer than ever. What began as a lineup of individuals evolved into a family forged through long practices, grueling games, and a shared determination to represent Holy Family University with pride. 

Amongst those who stood out this year was Allison Devine, a 19-year-old freshman midfielder whose passion and work ethic quickly made her an essential presence on and off the field. Devine’s calm focus, leadership potential, and evident love for the game made her a player to watch—not just for her skills, but for the example she set. “I would describe this season as a mix of growth and resilience.” … “We faced a lot of challenges, including injuries and being on the younger side, learning a lot along the way,” she shared. Her words capture the essence of the team’s journey: a season defined not by disappointment, but by the strength found in adversity. Injuries tested the roster early on, forcing the coaching staff to experiment with different formations and strategies. With this, the younger players had to step into more significant roles far sooner than expected, facing opponents stacked with upperclassmen and seasoned veterans. That level of competition could have easily overwhelmed a team still finding its rhythm, but instead, Holy Family’s women proved they could adapt efficiently.

Allison explained that the team’s youth was both a challenge and an opportunity, “We competed against many teams with experienced seniors,” she said. “It challenged us to grow faster, stay mentally tough, and learn how to play with more confidence and maturity despite our age.” Her insight speaks volumes about the quiet transformation that occurred throughout the season. Growth in sports is not only about technical skill—it’s about mindset. Each loss taught the players resilience; each tough match taught composure. By the end of the season, the women’s soccer team had learned to see setbacks not as failures but as steps toward something greater. Devine reflects on this by emphasizing the team’s unity as a source of strength, “My teammates really kept me going,” she said. “Even during hard games or practices, remembering I had my teammates with me helped a lot. We also tied a top team in our conference, and seeing our coaches so proud and enthusiastic also kept me motivated.” 

This moment—a tie against a leading opponent—stood as a turning point in the season. While it was not a victory on paper, it was a victory in spirit. It showed that Holy Family could compete toe-to-toe with the best, that their hard work was paying off, and that they were no longer just the young team trying to find its footing—they were contenders. That draw symbolized more than a scoreline; it symbolized validation. Coaches beamed with pride, players celebrated the proof of their progress, and the university community began to see something special brewing within the team. Emotional momentum of soccer relies on moments like these—small wins that carry weight far beyond the field. 

Throughout the season, mental toughness became a central theme. The women had to confront pressure, fatigue, and the sting of close losses. The locker room after a defeat could have easily been a place of discouragement, but players like Devine became quiet anchors, reminding everyone why they were there—to grow, to learn, and to play for each other. The idea of resilience—a word Devine used multiple times—became almost like the team’s unspoken motto. In every drill, late-night study session after practice, and every moment of doubt, resilience carried them through. “Balancing school, soccer, and other responsibilities taught me how to stay organized and prioritize my time better,” Devine explained. “I learned how to manage my schedule so I could stay focused both on and off the field.” This type of personal growth reflects the dual identity of college athletes—students and competitors. Holy Family’s program emphasizes academic and athletic balance, and Devine’s experience embodies that mission. She represents the student-athlete who not only competes but also matures through the structure and discipline that sports demand. What seems like a minor detail reveals something essential: that success as an athlete often depends as much on preparation and mindset as it does on talent. Devine learned that being organized, consistent, and goal-driven off the field translated into confidence and composure on it.

Looking ahead, Devine remains optimistic and motivated, “My hopes and goals for next season are to win more conference games and to secure a spot in the playoffs,” she said. It is a clear goal, but also a symbol of unfinished business—a reminder that this year’s struggles have laid the foundation for next year’s triumphs. Her plans for the offseason show the dedication needed to turn that goal into reality. “I plan to keep training on the field, stay conditioned, and focus on strength and endurance with a few of my other teammates,” she remarked. This proactive mindset captures the spirit of the team—determined, collaborative, and unwilling to settle.

Such a level of commitment does not fade when the final whistle blows. For players like Allison, the offseason is not a break—it is an opportunity. It is when progress is built quietly, away from the crowds, through early morning workouts and self-discipline: maturity. As a freshman, she recognizes the deeper lessons that sports offer—lessons about teamwork, leadership, balance, and perseverance. She speaks not just as a player but as someone who understands what it means to grow through challenge. Her perspective mirrors that of many college athletes who discover that their sport teaches them far more than techniques or tactics. It teaches them resilience, responsibility, and the power of community. Holy Family’s women’s soccer program has become a space where those lessons take root—a family where each member learns how to rise together. The teams’ unity has become a defining trait, setting them apart in their conference. Players support one another relentlessly, celebrating each other’s small victories, comforting each other in moments of defeat, and building lifelong friendships that extend far beyond the field. It’s that sense of sisterhood that makes their story so inspiring.

Every practice begins with laughter and ends with encouragement. Even as the season ended in heartbreak, with the playoff dream slipping away, there was no sense of bitterness—only reflection and motivation. The players walked off the field knowing that every sprint, every goal attempt, every challenge had brought them closer together. They had grown not only as athletes but as people. And that is the heart of what this team represents: transformation.

In collegiate athletics, it is easy to focus on statistics—wins, losses, and rankings. But the story of the Holy Family women’s soccer team reminds us that the most meaningful victories are often invisible. Devine’s reflections encapsulate that spirit beautifully. She does not dwell on defeat; she speaks of growth. She does not highlight personal accomplishments; she celebrates her teammates. Her humility and determination reflect the culture of the program and the leadership of coaches who have built a team grounded in integrity and heart. As the women look ahead to next year, optimism fills the air. With a year of experience now behind them, the younger players will enter next season not as underdogs but as leaders in the making. Holy Family University has every reason to be proud of its women’s soccer team. Their story this year is not defined by the missed playoff berth, but by their ability to grow stronger in the face of adversity. Their journey embodies what it truly means to be a student-athlete: to compete with integrity, to rise after setbacks, and to continually strive for excellence, both on and off the field. In Allison Devine’s words, this season was “a mix of growth and resilience.” But to anyone watching closely, it was more than that—it was a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of unity, and the belief that even in loss, there is progress.

The Holy Family women’s soccer team did not just play for wins; they played for each other. And that, perhaps, is the most noteworthy victory of all.

Emily Spotts is a freshman student majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Criminal Justice and Forensic Science. She holds a role in the Honors Program and is expected to graduate in the spring of 2029.