The blood is pumping. The cleats are laced. Practice is over.

The JC women’s soccer team began its IAAM Conference schedule last week with an 8-0 victory over St. Vincent Pallotti at JC.  JC maintained possession of the ball for the majority of the game, pressuring the Prince George’s County team into their own half for extended periods throughout the game.

Right from the start, JC pressured Pallotti. In the sixth minute, their pressure paid off. Following a half cleared corner kick, senior Morgan Fraczkowski collected the ball at the top of the 18 yard box, turned, and fired a low ball into the far corner to kick off the scoring fest for JC.

Junior Leah Pace followed Fraczkowski with a strike in the 30th minute. Pace released down the left flank and then beat her defender. Pace passed the charging Pallotti goalkeeper with a quick move and slotted the ball into the empty net to make it 2-0, JC, at the half.

Following the break, JC came out firing shots. Sophomore Jordan Clarke scored four minutes into the second  half, followed by a 25 yard effort from junior Shelby Foit. Sophomore Courtney Wagner then scored with a shot from just outside the 18 yard box to make it 5-0, JC.

JC took its starters out of the game to showcase the team’s depth. Sophomore Susie Snee scored off of a feed from senior Kadie Hook. Hook then scored one for herself, followed by another streaking run by Snee to cap off a dominating performance.

“We played really well today. We are in great shape and worked hard for the win,” sophomore Susie Cumpston said.

JC showed that they will compete in the IAAM this season. To win it all, JC will have to beat some of the best teams in the country, which includes Archbishop Spalding and McDonough.  JC will have to rely on an array of younger players, with only three seniors starting this year.

The key game for this season is next Friday against Spalding at JC. The Anne Arundel County school has been nationally ranked in the top 10 best teams the past few years and will provide a good test for JC.

“Spalding always has a good team and the games are always tough. I think that because we have a fairly young team the game will definitely make us better physically and mentally for the rest of the season,” junior Erica Bodt said.

Shepard can be reached for comment at [email protected].