The Mercer Island Girls Soccer team faced a 4-1 loss against Lake Washington at home on their senior night, Oct. 19.
On an emotional night, MIHS girls soccer persevered until the end for their final home conference game with the student section supporting them the whole way. The team faced a hard-fought loss with an immense number of fouls.
“I think we played very hard. I think definitely senior night, we had a little more tension going into the game. We were a little frantic. You know, I think we came together and we put up a good fight … I think we’ve definitely become more cohesive as a team. We’ve been finding passes and chaining them together more, getting more opportunities on the attack. I think there are definitely still some things to work on defensively as well as in the finishing third. But I’m really happy with how we’ve improved and how we’re going to the playoffs,” senior captain Ella Martin said.
The team played aggressively with one yellow card and a couple players walking off slight injuries. This intense playing proved each and every player’s dedication to the seniors.
“I definitely think we put up a good fight. And just the seniors all getting to play together one last time was really special because we’ve all been friends for a long time. And so I don’t think that anyone fights harder than the seniors do for each other,” senior captain Jenna Martin said.
Having players of all ages instead of only juniors and seniors adds to all the different aspects of soccer dynamics.
“We have a lot of quickness with the young people and a lot of experience in soccer IQ with older people so I think it makes us a lot more dynamic. As a team, it makes bonding really fun and we all can hang out and enjoy each other kind of without the stress and competition that comes with sometimes only girls your age, which I think is a lot of fun,” Ella Martin said.
Along with soccer dynamics, having younger or older teammates enhances the social dynamics.
“I love how connected our team is, especially at school because I’ll be walking the halls and I’ll say hi to each and every person on the team. And you don’t have that on a club team because you’re not seeing everyone every single day. Every single period. And I think I’ve also become close with a bunch of different people that I wouldn’t have been close with if I wasn’t playing soccer because we run in different circles. We have different interests outside of soccer, but soccer always brings us closer together,” Jenna Martin said.
Although it is fun to have younger friends on the team, it will be a hard transition leaving them behind.
“I think that it’ll definitely be a big change. I’m not playing soccer anymore after this season. And it’s been part of my life since I was five. But there’s going to be great things ahead for each and every person on the team. So I’m excited to see how everyone does next season and how everyone in college does,” Jenna Martin said.
High school soccer is an integral part of the seniors’ lives so the switch will be different.
“It did not feel like it was supposed to be me. Everyone always says that but I really, I mean I definitely feel ready to move on but it’s still a little surreal like hearing yourself get called up and realizing this is the last time you play,” Ella Martin said.
For the senior athletes, it is hard to believe the season is ending soon.
“This is my fourth senior night. And I think each year it gets more and more real. But you don’t realize that it’s actually you until this exact moment after the game and you’re like, ‘Well, I don’t know what is next’… we were just freshmen and now we’re celebrating senior night,” Jenna Martin said.
The next varsity game will be Thursday, Oct. 26 at Interlake High School.
