Girls’ soccer held its annual Senior Night ceremony preceding the February 7 home game against Alhambra High School.  Team went on to win the contest, 2-1.

Before the game, seniors Anne Midthun, Ashley Mulakaluri, Mia Nieto, Molly Ikeya, Megan O’Connell, Brigitte Marinier, and Azalea Kim were individually introduced with their families and given bouquets of flowers.

The annual tradition is an opportunity for the squad to honor the commitment of its veteran players.  It is also a time for those veterans to reflect on their playing careers. “I’ve played club soccer since I was 6 years old and I was super excited to get to play for my high school and it was really nice, everything the parents did for the team,” said Ikeya.

“A lot people were pretty emotional, especially if you don’t know if you’re going to play soccer again,” added Marinier. “I don’t plan on playing for a college but I do plan on playing soccer because I just love the game.”

“It was really sad because it’s realizing that she is leaving for college next year, but it’s also really cool because she played high school soccer for all 4 years and that’s what I want to do too. If my sister  goes to Harvard, she’ll be a walk on for the team,” said sophomore Ava Nieto, a junior varsity squad member who watched her sister Mia be honored.

Head coach Ernesto Silva said, “[The seniors have] shown quite a bit of leadership this year, and I think that the way they work and the way they practice, the whole team follows. Every year when you lose your seniors after having had them for 4 straight years, it always feels like you’re starting all over again when you lose talented players like them. All of them are impactful players and have great personalities and will be greatly missed.”

“We’re just a tight knit group of girls who all love to play soccer,” said Marinier.

“After 4 years of being on the team it’s kind of sad to see it all ending,” added Ikeya.

Gallery • 4 Photos