King David girls score historic soccer victory

For five years, King David High School Linksfield’s girls’ soccer team edged closer and closer to making school history. On Sunday, 18 October, after two nerve-racking penalty shootouts and a last-gasp semi-final winner, they finally did it, lifting the JVW Diamond League Open trophy for the first time. 

The victory marked the culmination of a five-year journey that saw the team take girls’ sport at the school to new heights. After reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in the school’s history in 2022, they went unbeaten in the league and qualified for the playoffs in 2023, but were unable to participate because of Jewish holidays. Consecutive third-place finishes in 2024 and 2025 brought them even closer, before they finally claimed the title in 2026. 

The young King David side made up of five Grade 8s, four Grade 9s, one Grade 10, three Grade 11s, and just two matrics, comprised Ariella Sharp, Chloe Garnitz, Ella Eliyahu, Esti Teeger, Gabi Pogir, Jessica Defries, Jordanna Valkin, Julia Levine, Kayla Taurog, Liya Edinburg, Liya Gruzin, Raquel Bravo, Tamra Sweidan, Taylor Garnitz, and Taylor Goldberg. 

After advancing through the group stages unbeaten, they overcame Norkem Park on penalties and Pretoria High School for Girls 2–1 to reach the final against Waterstone College. King David held a 1–0 lead until the closing minutes, when an own goal levelled the score and sent the championship decider to a penalty shootout. 

“It was absolutely devastating. We were so close to winning and had dominated most of the game. But I just knew we couldn’t give up. We had worked far too hard to let it slip away,” said Liya Edinburg, the team captain. 

The team used the week after the school holidays to prepare specifically for knockout football, focusing on set pieces and penalties. Their preparation paid off, with the goalkeeper saving several penalties and every King David player scoring. 

When they realised the game was going to penalties, they knew they had to come together, support one another, and believe in each other, said Bravo. “I think that’s where our team spirit really showed. We encouraged each other and reminded ourselves how far we had come. No one was blaming anyone for what had happened during the game. We put it behind us and focused on what was ahead, knowing we were all in it together,” she said. 

Valkin, who took one of the penalty shots, explained that she’d been extremely nervous as she didn’t want to let her team down. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous in my life, but the words from Coach Claudio and the practice of penalties that we put in and the desire to help the team just helped me to focus and overcome the nerves. The crowd watching slipped my mind; in that moment, I just wanted my team to win, and it was just me, the keeper, and the ball,” she said. 

Defries, the vice-captain, who also took one of the final shots, explained, “I was really nervous to take the penalty. Even though we had beaten our opponents on penalties during the quarter-finals, this was a whole different level of pressure. But I forced myself to stay calm for my team because I would have to do it for them.” 

Defries said the moment her teammate was going to take the final shot was nerve-racking. “My eyes were closed shut so tightly. I was too stressed to even watch. My eyes were closed, my hand over my heart, the other around my teammate next to me, and I was just praying to G-d that the penalty would go in,” she said. 

The second that final shot went into the net, all the girls ran towards each other, jumping and screaming in celebration. “After five years of dreaming about this moment, we had finally done it. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that feeling,” said Edinburg, who was determined to play despite being in the middle of matric exams. 

“It was such a proud moment. The support we’d received from the school was incredible, and knowing we’d brought home a historic title made it even more special. I think we’re all still taking it in,” she said. 

Being able to captain her team to victory in her final year at school means everything to Edinburg. 

“To captain the first King David Linksfield girls’ team to ever win this title, especially in my final year, is something I’ll treasure forever. Knowing that we came out on top of more than 100 teams competing in the league makes this achievement even more special. I’m incredibly proud that we’ve made history for our school,” she said. 

Bravo explained that despite the stress of her final matric exams, she’d wanted to play and help secure this momentous win. 

“After everything our team had worked towards throughout the season, there was no way I was going to miss this. I knew I had to find a balance between studying and soccer because I couldn’t imagine not being there for my team during the most important part of our season. Looking back, I’m so glad I made that decision. Being part of such an incredible achievement made every bit of extra pressure worth it,” she said. 

Defries explained that the teamwork and tight bond between the girls made all the difference. 

“I don’t think we would have gotten as far as we did without all those friendships, especially during the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals. It’s easy to drop your head when things aren’t going your way, but we were there for each other during the hard times and kept each other motivated to keep pushing. I genuinely believe that the connection between us was what allowed us to win,” she said.