The Woodbury girls soccer is hitting its stride at the right time. The Royals won 10 of their final 11 regular season games.
Senior goalie Sam Mattes and junior forward Clara Fedunok spearheaded the late-season surge. Fedunok orchestrates the offense, while Mattes directs the defense en route to an 11-2-1 campaign.
Mattes said the Royals set a goal in the buildup to the season of making the state tournament. That journey kicks into overdrive Wednesday, when second-seeded Woodbury hosts seventh-seeded Tartan in the Class 3A, Section 4 quarterfinals.
“This team definitely has that ability. For us, it’s staying focused,” Mattes said. “We make it a big thing about getting our school work done, separating school and soccer when we need to. So, having that driving force, focusing on one game at a time.”
Fedunok, a Marquette commit, has exhibited her technical ability and leadership throughout the 2025 season. Woodbury girls soccer coach Pat Malicki said her relentless work ethic and skill on the ball are integral to the Royals’ attack.
“She’s gonna beat players one v. one, and she’ll get to the goal and she can finish with both left foot and right foot,” Malicki said. “When she gets marked, she’s able to get (to the) endline and get service across. She’s basically the quarterback of our attack.”
Fedunok said her coach’s confidence in her is an added motivator, which pushes her to perform. She leads Woodbury with seven goals and has tallied five assists on the season.
Fedunok said her gritty mentality and motor have led to her offensive production.
“I’m sort of an aggressive player, I like getting the ball,” Fedunok said. “I like winning the ball back, and I think that my speed definitely helps.”
The Royals have also sported one of the best defenses in the state. Woodbury has kept nine clean sheets in 14 games played.
Mattes has made 61 saves this season while only allowing nine goals, posting a 0.69 goals against average.
Malicki said Mattes is a student of the game, which allows her to see opponent’s buildup and instruct her back line on how to align.
“Over the last couple of years, her communication has improved so much. So she’s organizing our back line,” Malicki said. “So, right there is what’s helping her as it’s preventing a lot of shots and finishes.”
Mattes said her communication on the pitch extends beyond her defense, even involving midfielders and forwards to keep the entire team in sync.
Woodbury has outscored its opponents 36-9 this season. Mattes said limiting chances requires everyone to understand their role and assist teammates through communication. Mattes said a large part of the credit for her team’s strong defensive record is thanks to her back line and the chemistry the team has developed.
“I scan [the field] to make sure they know what they’re doing because if we have someone who isn’t as familiar with the position, the defenders and I are good at helping them out with that,” Mattes said. “But it’s really reliability and trust.”
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