Sara Delouchry always saw soccer as an outlet to not only showcase her athleticism, but also as an escape to gain a new level of enjoyment in life alongside friends. It has led to her being a solid and ambitious underclassman member of the Valley Regional girls’ soccer team with a great upside.

Throughout her childhood, the sophomore tried out various different sports, including basketball and lacrosse. Yet soccer was the one that rang true for Sara, leading to her joining a premier soccer squad in fifth grade. This season as a left attacking midfielder, Sara is helping the Warriors develop into a well-rounded 3-3-1 club that is looking to add depth.

“I have always played soccer since I was young, and it is my favorite sport. I love how the game is played; it is so calm and pretty. You can also connect so well with so many people,” says Sara. “My friends and my coaches have really helped me go so far in the sport. I made some of my best friends through soccer, and I would not be the person or player I am now without them. I also have amazing coaches, pushing myself and my teammates to be the best we can be. I also love playing soccer after school because it helps me decompress and get my mind off of things.”

Being in the middle of all the fast action, Sara gets a chance to forge friendships through the precision passing. Being a southpaw, Sara sees an upper hand out there, though she never takes that for granted and enjoys the grind of the job.

“I love connecting with my teammates on the field, and I am able to find different people and move the ball around well. I am one of the few left-handed players on the team, so I do have an advantage on that left side,” Sara says. “It is certainly a taxing position, so I need to work hard and just push through. I just have to fight through to get the result I want and the result our team wants.”

Looking at the Valley team itself, the girls are a younger bunch. But they act like they have known each other for years through only good vibes of dialogue and interacting with each other well after the final horn sounds in a game or practice.

“We are all so close and a big family. We lift each other up, and that is a huge part of our successes on and off the field,” says Sara. “I try to help push my teammates to make them better, and they do the same for me. We also talk to each other and give each other positive encouragement and feedback. We also do a lot of team-bonding events to help us grow, too.”

Sara’s appreciation and passion for soccer often carries her through adversity. Her love for the game shines through, especially when life gives her obstacles.

“I have always stuck with soccer because it is so much fun to me, so when things get tough, I think about how much I love it,” says Sara. “I think about how great it is that I get the chance to be out there, and it drives me to be the best I can be.”

No matter the month on the calendar or the mercury marking outside, Sara always has the ball around her feet. It has fed her swagger in soccer while helping to mold her craft in a multitude of ways.

“I have worked a lot on my confidence on the ball. I have spent so much time with the soccer ball; I am always trying to get touches during the season and in the offseason,” Sara says. “The time has helped me get my confidence and my technical skills up. No one is ever perfect, so I would like to keep working on my touches, along with my field awareness and lifting up others.”

The Warriors deserve some postseason participation based upon their merits on the field, in Sara’s eyes. Still, she and Valley know that they need to make it happen by applying their talent to triumphs.

“As a team, I would love for us to keep pushing to be our best,” says Sara. “I would like for us to make Shoreline and states because we are a really talented team. For myself, I want to become a better player. I love working in the midfield with my captains. I also want to be a player who is quicker on the ball.”

Valley girls’ soccer Head Coach Lloyd Warren explains that Sara is someone who has quickly adjusted to the tempo and pressure of the varsity ranks. She is an individual who also makes herself recognized by her teammates and adversaries on a daily basis.

“On every team, there's a player whose presence on the field signals something special. Sara is a standout midfielder whose freshman year had already left a lasting impression,” says Warren. “Her skill set and maturity on the field have made her a key asset to the team. She shows maturity ahead of her years, which is setting her apart. From the moment she stepped onto the field, it was clear that Sara was ready to compete. As a freshman, adjusting to the pace and physicality of high school soccer can be a challenge, but she has embraced it with grace. Whether she’s winning midfield battles or delivering precision passes under pressure, Sara has shown an ability to handle the demands of the game like a seasoned veteran.”

In her short stint as an athlete in high school, Sara has experienced a master class on the importance of several life skills. No matter the responsibility or task she is taking on, Sara will always give 100% effort.

“I have learned so much already as an athlete about resilience, teamwork, and cooperation,” says Sara. “Being a student-athlete as well is a lot to manage, so I have learned how to stay on top of things. I just keep fighting and pushing to be the best version of myself that I can be.”