ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Hannah Zoeltsch

The West Orange Warriors girls soccer team is 9-2-4 this winter and scored its first win over Apopka in quite a few years last week, 1-0. There are plenty of reasons and important players behind the Warriors’ success so far this season, one of which has been the leadership of senior captain Hannah Zoeltsch.

What was it like to defeat Apopka for the first time?

It was actually really exciting. It was one of the games that we had planned for this whole season. We worked really hard for it.

Does the overall rivalry between West Orange and Apopka in all sports add to the game, or do you see the game only specific to girls soccer?

Oh, yeah, I mean it does. Especially with our football team going back and forth with them. 

What’s your mentality at this point in the season?

Our main focus right now is districts. We have a bye week our first week, so we’re going to just rest up and think about the games. It’s not just Apopka we’re looking forward to — we have to play our best in all of our games.

Your team is respected throughout the area and is ranked among Central Florida’s best. What’s it like to get opposing teams’ best shot every night?

It’s amazing. Especially going from freshman year (when) we did well, but it wasn’t great. This year, we’re going to go far — I know it.

Being a senior and a captain for this team, what have you learned about leadership that you didn’t know before?

It’s hard. Everyone’s doing their own thing, and you have to focus the team. There’s three of us (captains), so we try and get everybody focused and ready for the game. … We make it work.

What would you like to study at college?

Either marine biology or veterinary school or something like that.

What’s your favorite class right now and why?

My favorite class is economics. … It’s really fun. You learn a lot of new things that you would never expect with investments and stuff like that.

As a senior, there are some big days coming up for you in the spring with prom, Senior Walk Out and graduation — which are you looking forward to the most?

Probably graduation. I’m really excited about that. I love the school and everything, but you’re finally here.

A few years from now when you’re graduating college, where would you most like to find a job and live?

Probably somewhere in North Carolina or Georgia. I love up north; it’s so pretty.

What are you listening to the most recently, music-wise?

I think my top thing on Pandora right now is actually John Mayer.

What is a hobby or an interest that people may not know about you?

Most years, me and my dad go up to North Carolina or Georgia, and I love snowboarding. It’s one of my favorite things in the world.

What’s your dream car?

Probably a Mustang. That would be my dream car.

What other West Orange sport do you most enjoy coming out to support?

Definitely football. Our fans are amazing — we’re always at every game, and it’s a good experience.

What’s the outlook for you and possibly playing soccer in college?

I’m definitely going to college. I’m talking to a couple (college soccer) coaches, I just don’t know exactly where I want to go and what I want to do.