Worthington — The 2024 girls soccer season at Worthington Christian will be remembered as the program’s best in history—a year when the Lady Warriors pushed further than any team before them. Against all odds, they persevered through challenges, injuries, and tough games, emerging stronger with each step. The team faced key injuries at pivotal moments but never lost sight of their goals. “We had to play as a team and refocus our hearts into 1 Corinthians 13:4-7,” said Head Coach Luke Fields, pointing to the passage’s message of love that protects, trusts, and perseveres. This spirit of unity and care became the foundation of their historic season.
Heading into the 2024 campaign, Worthington Christian set clear goals: “Beat our rivals Grandview Heights and Bexley, win the Central Buckeye League, and bring home the district title,” said Coach Fields. Despite competing in seven district championships over the past decade, it had been ten years since they’d claimed the trophy—a significant hurdle that had become, in many ways, the team’s “devil to slay.”
The Lady Warriors were loaded with talent, including four All-CBL first-team selections, one of whom, Madeleine Hulme, was named Player of the Year. However, their season was far from smooth sailing. Senior captain Brooke Bambey saw her season cut short by a torn ACL, and despite dealing with an in-season MCL tear, senior Mclaine Oosterbaan delivered 18 goals and 10 assists, earning both All-CBL and All-District honors. The adversity tested their resilience, but the Lady Warriors showed they were more than capable of overcoming it. “I am most proud of their grit and composure,” Coach Fields said. “They developed strong unity and mental focus, and this year, their composure improved significantly.”
These qualities were on full display in October during the de facto CBL championship game against Bexley. Despite trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Lady Warriors stayed composed and scored twice in the second half to win the league title. “We found ourselves down at the half, but we stayed calm and composed to score two in the second half and win the league title,” Coach Fields said.
The team’s resilience was tested again in the district finals against Columbus Academy. A simple but costly mistake put them in a 1-0 hole—a situation that in previous years may have signaled the end of their season. But 2024 was different. Madeleine Hulme, in her final moment of heroism, scored twice to lead the Lady Warriors to a come-from-behind win, clinching their first district title in over a decade. It was a fitting sendoff for Hulme, but her season ended abruptly in the regional semifinals when she broke her collarbone. Despite her injury, the team pressed on.
With their Player of the Year sidelined, the Lady Warriors entered an overtime battle with Wheelersburg. “The girls rallied after Madeleine’s injury and finished strong,” Coach Fields recalled. “Katie Mast and Lanie Meadows really stepped up, and then Mclaine Oosterbaan sealed it with the game-winner four minutes into overtime.” The spirit of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 was present once again, guiding the team through adversity and helping them reach new heights.
In the regional finals, Worthington Christian had the chance to do what no team in the program’s history had done: reach the state championships. Katie Mast struck early, scoring in the first minute to deliver a quick blow to St. Clairsville. From there, the Lady Warriors controlled the game, never looking back. Goals from Rylan Roads and Anna Meadows sealed the win, securing the program’s first-ever regional championship.
Though their journey ended in the state final four, the result didn’t define the season—it transformed the program. “Getting to state is the new standard and expectation,” Coach Fields said. “They’ll want it, but they have to earn it.” The team’s demanding non-conference schedule against Division I schools prepared them for the tough tournament competition. “We probably scheduled one of the toughest slates around because we wanted to be challenged,” Fields explained. “Those games highlighted areas we needed to work on, both on and off the field.”
The senior class capped off a career that set new expectations for the program: a district title, regional title, Final Four appearance, a 60-17-7 record, and an impressive 27-2-1 mark in the CBL, with back-to-back league championships. Coach Fields credits much of the success to his coaching staff. “I am blessed with the best coaching staff,” he said. “We get along great, we all played in college, and we push each other, challenging one another in the best ways possible.”
Looking ahead, Worthington Christian has a solid foundation for future success. With a deep junior class returning and an experienced group of players, including a talented freshman class, the Lady Warriors will aim to build on their historic run. Coach Fields is confident: “We return a large junior class, those beneath have some experience now, and we have what looks like a larger, talented freshman class as well.”
With 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as their guiding principle, the Lady Warriors slayed their “devil” in 2024. If they can maintain that spirit, they will continue to conquer new challenges and write even more chapters of success in the seasons to come.
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