The goals never really change.
The reasons may surprise you, though.
Like every girls soccer team, Middleton will aim for a state championship this season. And Cardinals’ head coach Mary Duffy has reasons that might be different than many of her peers.
“Our goals are similar as every year: win that gold ball,” said Duffy, whose team begins its season Saturday. “But it isn't for reasons that many think of.
“What I know these girls want is a great experience, a memorable end to the school year, a chance to compete and play with their teammates. And if it ends earlier than we want or it ends with a gold ball, there will still be tears because we will be sad to not be playing with each other again.
“So what we want is to continue to play together for as long as possible, and to do that, to play with these amazing seniors for as long as possible, that includes state.”