The Cleveland girls soccer team conquered a difficult non-league schedule to open their season.

Despite ending with a heartbreaking loss to West Linn, Cleveland has turned heads by beating two otherwise undefeated teams in South Salem and Lakeridge.

With a 3-2-3 overall record, the Warriors currently sit 10th in the state.

“It’s exciting because this is the best we have done in the last two years I’ve been on the team,” said junior Elsie Koehler about that ranking. “I’m looking forward to seeing the program grow.”

Cleveland’s defense has been the key so far, especially against those top teams. The Warriors have only conceded more than one goal in two of their nine games, and they kept a clean sheet in both upsets.

“Our defense is definitely one of our biggest strengths, especially with Jaidyn Richter at center back,” said Koehler.

Cleveland’s mix of experience and underclass talent has played a part in their success, which is highlighted by both Richter and Koehler who gained a lot of experience at the varsity level as sophomores last year. Overall the Warriors returned 11 players, including six seniors from the 2021 team that won key games late in the season to earn a playoff spot.

Thankfully, because of the two early upsets, the team is coming into the PIL schedule with less pressure on them, and a better sense of their identity.

“I think [the upsets] show that as a team we are resilient,” said Koehler.

Carrying that into the PIL schedule will be crucial, as Cleveland’s first two opponents, Grant and Lincoln, rank 8th and 11th respectively.

“We’ve been playing at a good level in our most recent games, so I think we need to keep up that focus and intensity,” said Koehler.

Cleveland will have to harness that momentum in the first week of league play with tough matchups against #11 Lincoln and #8 Grant.