As the final whistle blew, the Stillwater High School girls’ soccer team burst into celebration. They had just won the 2024 Stillwater Cup, a tournament they had not been able to claim in years.
At the heart of the defensive line stood sophomore Madelyn Aguilar, a key player in securing the team’s 1-0 victory.
“Honestly, I wasn’t nervous. I was really confident that we’d win,” Aguilar said. “We had our pre-game prayer and just focused on the game.”
Aguilar, a sophomore at Stillwater High School, has been playing soccer since she was three years old.
Over the past 13 years, she has developed into a strong and reliable defender, a position that allows her to anchor her team’s backline.
“I focus on defending well and sending long passes to our forwards.”
Last season, Aguilar helped lead Stillwater to one of its most exciting finishes, capturing the Stillwater Cup and giving the team a memorable highlight.
“Winning the 2024 Stillwater Cup was huge for us, especially for our seniors. We wanted to do it for them,” Aguilar said.
Balancing school and athletics is no easy feat, but Aguilar prioritizes it. “I always take school seriously because soccer won’t always be a part of my life,” she said.
Her discipline extends beyond the classroom and the field—she works with a strength and conditioning trainer in the summer to prepare for the season.
“I don’t like being unprepared,” Aguilar said. “Working out in the summer helps me stay ahead.”
Her passion for the game is fueled by the unwavering support of her parents, who attend all of her games and provide her with the resources to keep improving. “Some parents can’t make it to every game, but mine do, and it really boosts my confidence,” she said.
Looking ahead, Aguilar hopes to continue her soccer career in college. “I trust God to lead the way,” she said. “I’d love to play in college and see where that takes me.”
For Aguilar, soccer is more than just a sport—a way of life.
Whether competing in high school or working on her fitness, her commitment to the game is undeniable. With her determination and skill, the future looks bright for this rising defensive star.
