Leveling Up

When the GFS girls varsity soccer team showed up to their soccer field for the first time during preseason, Natalija Whitman ’28 immediately noticed two things: how smooth and flat the field was, and the incredibly lush and green grass. Earlier that summer, the Varsity Girls Soccer Field (sometimes called the Track Field) was planted with low-mow, climate-resilient Kentucky blue grass, complete with irrigation and drainage upgrades.

Whitman, who has played soccer for 12 years, knows a good field when she steps onto one. 

“The new field is the type of grass that I personally feel so privileged to play on,” she said. “I’m so glad that GFS Athletics focused on elevating girls soccer at GFS, that means a lot to the whole program.”

Center midfielder Jojo Lintulahti ’28, another seasoned player, noted that the quality of the field means the whole team’s play is leveled up.

“The new field makes every touch and pass feel smoother and more controlled, and this gives us the freedom to just play and not have to worry about bad bounces or patchy areas,” she said. “Compared to other, rougher fields it almost feels like a different game.”

Head coach Manolo Sanchez ’10 agrees. As a former professional soccer player, he values natural grass for its playability and safety as well as its environmental sustainability versus artificial turf. 

“Having seen a lot of soccer fields at area schools, I can say that GFS’ is now the best around,” Sanchez said. “And this shows that we really care about our Athletics teams and want to give our students top-class facilities. That creates energy, excitement, and momentum that gives our players a boost.” 

In addition to the Girl’s Soccer Field upgrade, there are also improved walkways around the track, new foundations for shot put, discus, and pole vault, and an updated sandpit. This summer also saw a renovation of the Middle House at Fields, with a new concession stand called the Roar Shack, a meeting space for coaches, a back patio for crew erging and team events, and two all-gender bathrooms.