Ruby McIntosh is a student and varsity soccer player at Lakeland High School. McIntosh is a mandatory component on defense as the Hawks’ standout goalie. Though she worked through tough aspects during the season, such as a broken finger and a district game loss, she continued to keep her head up and persevere because that is what was best for her team.
McIntosh, who is currently a junior, has been playing soccer since her freshman year. Her decision to get out onto the field was influenced by her friends, and she quickly found a different joy in soccer she had never found in another sport.
When asked who pushed her to play the hardest, she mentioned Paige Rose, one of the Hawk’s midfielders.
“Ruby played very well this year. If the team is down on themselves, she will make a save, and it brings us up, which leads to us performing better,” Rose said.
Rose also adds that McIntosh has improved a ton in comparison to last season, and her ability to constantly save the team is incredible.
Although McIntosh throws in track and field during the spring, she finds the team atmosphere that comes with soccer unlike any other.
“I feel like I can contribute more and make a bigger impact when playing soccer,” McIntosh said. This being said, out of every aspect of soccer, McIntosh enjoys team sleepovers and, of course, winning games.
McIntosh’s season has recently come to an early end, but she did not fail to make new memories and improvements.
The highlight of her season was Senior Night against Bonner’s Ferry since it was such an important time for the seniors. With many players having played their last season on the LHS pitch, it was a very emotional night for the team.
“It is still so upsetting to know that the seniors that affected me the most, like Regan Wright and Caroline Gallus, will not be there to see my senior year of soccer as I did theirs,” McIntosh said.
Regardless of them not being here to watch here final season, McIntosh is eternally grateful that she witnessed theirs.
Aside from her favorite memory, her favorite game was once again when she faced Bonner’s Ferry, this time away from home. The game resulted in a shut-out from the Hawks, and it provided motivation to keep moving forward with the season. McIntosh explained that games like that never fail to bring everyone up.
A sort of tradition for the soccer team consists of the entire team receiving ice cream cake for every goal scored off of a header.
“I will never forget that tradition,” said McIntosh.
The girl’s varsity team coaches include Kevin Rogge and Brad Schultz, and McIntosh had nothing but great things to say about the way they interact with the team.
“Rogge is very persistent and would be hard on us, whereas Brad was very understanding and caring towards the team. They are complete opposites, but that seemed to work for us,” McIntosh said.
A match against the Moscow Bears on Tuesday, Oct. 10, was McIntosh and the team’s last game of the season. Losing against Moscow stopped the girls from playing Sandpoint, which, upon a win the Hawks would have gone to the state tournament in Boise, Idaho.
“It was the best game we ever played, and then I went outside the goal box and got a red card. From there, the team fell apart, and it ultimately lost us the game,” McIntosh said.
The aftermath of the unfortunate turn to the game depicts exactly how much McIntosh impacts the Hawks and how she is essential.
Even though this is not how McIntosh wished the season would end, she believes the girls had an appreciable season, and she is already looking forward to next fall.
