It all started as the Altamont girls’ varsity soccer team hosted Jasper High School for their season opener early last month. Despite frigid weather, throngs of fans showed up. The Lady Knights knew that the match would set the tone for the rest of their season, and they came out with intensity. They won 10-0, and that 10 likely would've been higher if it weren't for the mercy rule. The team has played two games since, and their three total opponents have not scored a single goal.  

The Feb. 10 season opener started with sophomore Izzy Sellers scoring a goal in less than three minutes. After that, the Knights refused to take their feet off the gas. Junior Sariah Honeycutt and Sellers scored three each. Seventh grader Autumn Eberle scored two in her varsity debut, and sophomore Camille Eberle scored one.  

The Lady Knights went into halftime leading 9-0. About five minutes into the second half, Junior Kate Nichols scored the tenth and final goal of the game. Junior Mollie Elgin and freshman Abbey Sellers each had an assist. 

The Lady Knights played their second game against Collinsville High School. Compared to the first game, this game was a nail-biter (wink): Altamont won by only three goals, 3-0.

Izzy Sellers said the team didn't have much intel on Collinsville, which made preparation a harder, but that the Knights made some adjustments and improved their play as the testy game went on. Despite rough play, cards, and trash-talking, Sellers says, "Overall, I think we were all proud of each other, even with the circumstances, but we all know we have work to do if we want to win states."

Sariah Honeycutt, Autumn Eberle, and freshman Abbey Sellers scored Altamont's a goal each in the win over Collinsville.

The third game against Childersburg on Feb. 27 was Altamont's first area test, but "test" might not be the right word, and the score was familiar: the Lady Knights won 10-0. Sariah Honeycutt scored half of those goals.

Izzy Sellers summed up the situation so far: "We are all very excited for what the season holds."

Girls varsity plays at John Carroll on Saturday, March 4, at 12:30. The team's complete schedule is here.