Soccer, as much as it is a game of technical ability, is also a physical game. This year, the Pascack Valley Girls Soccer Team’s physical level was enhanced by senior captain Tara Stewart.
With nine goals and three assists this year, her real impact goes beyond the scorebook. She constantly wins balls in the air and challenges opposing attackers with hard tackles.
“Coming into the game, my mindset is to win the ball,” Stewart said. “[It] helps us move the ball forward and up the field.”
Stewart’s impact is felt in all three sections of the field. In the defensive third, she makes tackles and blocks shots. In the middle third, she connects with teammates—notching three assists this season. In the final third, her nine goals this year—including a long shot that looped over the keeper in the girls’ sectional quarterfinals against Lakeland—shows her finishing ability. Although Pascack Valley was awarded the No.1 seed in the NJSIAA North 1, Group 2 state tournament, Stewart made sure the squad maintained a level head.
“We have definitely put in the work to get where we [were] ranked, but turning on our blinders and thinking it is just a number [is important],” Stewart said.
The girls saw their season come to a close with a 2-1 defeat in the sectional semifinals to Old Tappan. Despite an early goal from a penalty kick by fellow senior Sarah Mastowski, two goals from Old Tappan secured the win for the Golden Knights.
Stewart’s impact is felt beyond the lines, as she has solidified herself as a leader on and off the field.
“I have always looked up to the [past] senior leaders and made sure when I got to that position that every player felt comfortable at practice and at games,” Stewart said. “Making sure [we have] a good environment and team culture is something that is really important to me.”
Stewart’s prowess on the field drew attention from state media outlets as well: the public voted her as the top girls senior soccer player in the state through nj.com, and the site noted her as an underrated player to watch in the Group 2 playoffs.
At the end of her high school career, Stewart finished with 18 goals and 17 assists. She controlled and acted as one of the main pieces in the midfield for Pascack Valley the past three seasons and left her mark on the program.
