Photo Credit: Vanessa Turpin

By: Jax Willis

Staff Writer

Hammond Girl’s Soccer has officially kicked off their 2025-2026 varsity season! The Lady Bears are looking to bounce back and improve after last season, adding sophomores from their JV team and incoming freshmen like Ryan Perman. Led by Coach Fern Peters, the Bears look to make a push for the county title. They started the season off hot with a 4-0 win over Annapolis Area Christian School with goals from Vanessa Turpin, Abby Del Favero, Jaelle Morafa and Caitlin Zimmerman.

This season, the Lady Bears have set both ambitious and foundational goals. As senior Alexis Wright put it, “The overall goal this season is to grow as athletes and as a team. Of course, we want to compete at a high level and win games, but just as importantly, we want to build strong chemistry and push each other to improve.”

Vanessa Turpin, another key returning player, echoes this sentiment: “Our overall goal this season is to grow as a team and improve. We want to focus on working hard during practice, building our confidence, and pushing ourselves, so every game is competitive. Even if we don’t win every game, we want to show progress and prove that we’ve grown since last season.”

Key returners such as Alexis Wright, Vanessa Turpin, and Emma Gallagher anchor the team with experience, leadership, and skill. They’ll be counted on to set the tone—both in games and at practice.

Freshmen like Ryan Perman are stepping up to broaden the roster’s depth, pushing the JV-to-Varsity pipeline forward. This influx of new talent gives Coach Peters more flexibility and stamina as the season stretches on.

Wright describes the team morale as “strong!! We’re excited and motivated. Everyone is bringing good energy, and there’s a sense of determination to prove ourselves this year.” Turpin adds, “We plan to overcome challenges this season by trusting each other, staying positive, and giving our best effort in every practice”.

The 4-0 victory over Annapolis Area Christian School in their opener showed promise. This win helped announce that the Bears aren’t just out for improvement—they want to compete. The clean sheet also showcases improvement on the defensive end as well.

If the Lady Bears can maintain this early momentum, with high energy, polished team chemistry, leadership from their top returners, and growth from their younger players, they’ll be looking towards a great season ahead.

Even more than wins, this squad seems focused on proving something: that last season’s challenges were a launching pad, not a ceiling. With improved confidence, effort, trust, and character, Hammond might surprise the county.

As Wright said, “Each player brings something different to the table—whether it’s leadership, skill, or work ethic—and those qualities balance each other out. Some players are vocal leaders, while others lead by example, and together, they create a team where everyone has a role and can contribute.” When this becomes a reality, the 2025 Hammond Golden Bears may be one of the most competitive teams in the county.