Thomas Jefferson High School’s girls soccer team is starting to turn the corner as the Raiders have now won back-to-back games and jumped up six points in the standings.

The Raiders held strong against Auburn Mountainview in their second match against the Lions this season as they won 1-0 on Oct. 6.

“I think the team’s mentality has changed. I think they came in with a really strong game last week beating Decatur. I think they are trying to make the mentality switch that we are a top performing team and it’s time to start letting people know,” Head Coach Sydney Banyai said.

Freshman Malieta Redmond will get a lot of credit for the win, but the Raiders’ entire team deserves a lot of credit for coming away with the three points.

“Auburn Mountainview has great talent and coaching as well. I think we play very similarly. It was like going against yourself,” Banyai said.

Thomas Jefferson is coming off their best win of the season, a 3-2 win over Decatur, which has started to turn the Raiders around. It was the first win for Thomas Jefferson over Decatur since 2022, and now the Raiders are four points clear of Auburn Mountainview in the fifth and final playoff spot.

Jordynn Koriaa watches the ball as she looks to play it on to a teammate. Ben Ray / The Mirror

There wasn’t much in terms of goal opportunities in the run of play, but all the Raiders needed was a moment of magic from Redmond. The freshman took a free kick roughly 30 yards from the goal on the right side of the field.

Redmond lofted a high outswinging ball that found its way to the back of the net and gave Thomas Jefferson a 1-0 lead.

Redmond is a legacy player at Thomas Jefferson as her sister Veronica also donned the gold and red. Malieta honors her sister by wearing the same number this season.

“I just want to prove a freshman can be good at the varsity level. I am wearing her jersey and I just want to do good in her jersey and her shoes,” Redmond said.

Redmond credits her club soccer experience as a reason that she has had such a successful start to her high school campaign.

“It’s really fun. It’s a different experience than club, but I enjoy playing with them,” Redmond said.

Callie Moore looks to juke a Auburn Mountainview player. Ben Ray / The Mirror

The rest of the contest was tightly contested, and Auburn Mountainview came out in the second half pushing for the game leveling goal. But with Anna Vincent back in goal, she made some huge saves to keep Auburn Mountainview off the scoreboard.

“She played an amazing game, she did great for us last week too. She just keeps getting better,” Banyai said.

Athena Amor Katsaros as just a sophomore is one of a handful of underclassmen for Thomas Jefferson making an impact. Katsaros had the ball at her feet essentially all night, and was causing a lot of stress on the Lion defense.

“I don’t know how she does it. She’s always been a versatile player. Last game against Decatur, I put her at the 10 (drop forward/attacking midfielder). We ran with it, she was everywhere. She was defending, creating goal scoring opportunities, sending in crosses and finishing. If there is someone who gives 110 percent, it’s Athena. She just doesn’t get tired,” Banyai said.

Athena Amor Katsaros dribbles the ball for Thomas Jefferson. Ben Ray / The Mirror

All of the underclassmen continue to make an impact for Banyai this season as they are showing great leadership skills.

“I don’t usually give leadership to one girl. We have two captains that are amazing at leadership. Upperclassmen, underclassmen are leaders on and off the field,” Banyai said. “They have the skill and the voices and they use them. It’s good to see.”

The Raiders have won three out of their last four and with six matches remaining have their eyes on the postseason. The game against Auburn Mountainview was one of three this week for Thomas Jefferson.

“A big thing is keeping our heads, it’s a big mental game for them. They need to keep their confidence and go into every game knowing anyone can win any game on any day,” Banyai said.