For many players, soccer is more than just a sport. It is a place to grow, to be heard and to believe in something bigger than themselves. At Oviedo, the girls soccer team exemplifies how sports can shape confidence, create opportunities and empower young women to dream beyond the limits that once existed.
That belief becomes visible every time the team steps onto the field. Through structured training, competitive matches and shared goals, the players continue to turn passion into performance. Their commitment to improvement defines the team’s approach to the season and sets a strong foundation for continued growth.
Building that confidence does not happen overnight. It is shaped through years of commitment, effort and shared experiences. Coach Scott Waisanen, who is now in his 29th year with the program, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. What makes his perspective even more meaningful is that his connection to the team goes beyond coaching; he once walked the same hallways as a student at Oviedo High School himself, having graduated in 1988.
“When I was here, our girls soccer team wasn’t very strong,” Waisanen said. “At the time, opportunities for girls in soccer were limited and the sport had not yet gained the recognition it has today. However, as women’s soccer grew nationally, especially after major Women’s World Cup victories, more young girls began to see soccer as a space where they belonged.”
Oviedo’s program followed a similar path, growing stronger as more girls began playing at younger ages and developing their skills early on.
For Coach Waisanen, the importance of girls taking space in sports goes far beyond winning games. He believes sports give young women the chance to face challenges in a supportive environment, helping them build resilience and confidence.
“Even when it’s difficult, trying and pushing through helps you grow,” he said.
Soccer becomes a mirror for life, teaching players how to work through failure, rely on teammates and keep going even when things don’t go as planned.
That sense of teamwork and belonging is something the players themselves deeply value. Sophomore Aubrey Thielen, who has been playing soccer since she was eight years old, described the team as more than just a group of athletes.
“It becomes more like a family,” Thielen said.
“The team has meant everything to me these past four years,” senior Payton Pitman said. “I went from knowing nobody at Oviedo to now having sisters and learning so much about myself and what it takes to win.”
Through practices, games and shared challenges, the players grow closer, learning how to recognize each other’s strengths and support one another both on and off the field.
As the team continues to develop, players also learn lessons that extend beyond soccer. Thielen emphasized that hard work and discipline are essential, not just in sports, but in life. Being part of the team teaches players the importance of giving their best effort in everything they do. At the same time, she highlighted the value of balance, understanding that while soccer is important, it does not define who they are. Having passions, goals and identities outside the sport helps build confidence and stability, especially when setbacks occur.
Both Coach Waisanen and his players agree on one key message for younger girls who may be unsure about joining soccer: try it. Stepping onto the field for the first time can be intimidating, but growth begins with taking that first chance.
“You’ll never know if you don’t try,” Annan said.
For many involved in the program, soccer has shaped friendships, opened doors to college opportunities and created lifelong connections. Coach Waisanen credits the sport for giving him some of his closest friendships and a career he is passionate about. In his words, soccer has given him more than he could ever give back, a belief reflected daily in the dedication he brings to the team.
Girls soccer continues to be a powerful space where confidence is built, voices are heard and futures are shaped. Through shared effort, resilience and belief, the team proves that soccer is not just a game; it is a foundation for growth, leadership and self-confidence that extends far beyond the field.
