The Omaha Central High School girls’ soccer team shows determination and willingness despite the challenging games during the 2025 season. The varsity girls current overall record is four wins and nine losses, which makes them 23rd in Class A.
The Eagles’ match against Bryan High School during March 29 resulted in a 7-0 win, followed by that on April 1 when they earned a victory against Westview with 3-2 wins, a 2-1 win April 4 against Lincoln High School, and a 2-0 win over Burke High School during the Metro tournament April 11. Senior Hattie Moeller has scored the highest number of goals with four during this season, and Hudson Palu has three assists.
For the Eagles it’s not just about the scoreboard, the team also shines academically, having a huge representation of girls’ soccer at Purple Feather Day.
Off the field the girls tend to bond as a team by hosting team dinners, with their parents sometimes bringing food, going out and enjoying the soccer season. Before games Coach Jen Gillespie shares motivational videos and audios to help the players get ready and be mentally prepared.
Senior Hudson Palu, who wears jersey number 13, has played soccer at Central since freshman year. She plays both defender and midfielder, and the team considers her a key player. Outside of soccer she is active at school, playing the violin in the Mariachi club, Orchestra, cross country and is a part of the Centrals student progressive. “I love playing soccer this year, we have a new team, but everyone is passionate about playing,” Palu said.
As this is her final year, Palu says that teammate Hattie Moeller and Coach Casey Denton have inspired her. “Denton, she is really a great coach, always gives us good advice and motivates us. So does Hattie, she helps a lot with motivating us,” Palu said.
Coach Denton has coached at Central High for 12 seasons; she relates this year’s team to be one of the most positive, kind and hardworking teams.
“This year we have a very positive culture, a very cohesive team and a lot of girls that are very good leaders that are helping us to establish hopefully a good pattern for the girls following behind them,” Denton said.
Denton also encourages more students to come and support the team. “We are here, come watch us, I would love to get more students to attend the games and be aware that the games are happening,” she said.
