The AHS soccer teams celebrated their last games of the season and their senior night Tuesday, March 18.
The girls started the evening, facing off against the number one team in the district, the Byron Nelson Lady Bobcats. The final score was 0-1 with many goals blocked out by senior goalkeeper Madeline Caldwell.
“It is bittersweet,” Caldwell said. “I loved all the girls on the team and am going to miss them so much. However, I am glad I never have to step inside a soccer goal again, [it is] very nerve-wracking.”
Team captain senior Lindsey Eckert also felt both happy and sad about ending the season.
“Playing my last soccer game ever was emotional because I have played since the age of four,” Eckert said. “At the same time, I think ending the season with this team was great, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the friendships I have made in the past four years.”
There are many positive aspects to being on an organized sports team, especially for as many years as many of the girls played.
“Even in tough times, when there is hard work and coaches yell at you, your teammates are the ones who are truly there to laugh with you and push you harder,” senior team captain Laine Lowry said.
This season the Lady Eagles set a school record, with their final stats being 15 wins, 11 losses and 3 ties. The boys team finished with 15 wins also, 14 losses, and 4 ties, and though they were a point shy of playoffs, they ended their season with optimism.
“The senior boys did a fantastic job of having the team ready to play early in the year and carried us through to the end of the season,” head coach Daniel Lundy said. “I am looking forward to competing next year against schools of the same enrollment and a chance to advance far into the playoffs. Keys to success next year will be starting strong in the preseason and carrying that passion to the end of the season.”
The graduating seniors on the team also think fondly of the season.
“My favorite part of soccer this season was playing one final season with the guys I had been playing with since middle school,” senior captain Ben Irons said.
Team captain Ricky Pool also noted the many ways the team grew together through the seasons.
“We improved in several aspects of our play, including defensive discipline and attacking creativity,” Pool said. “In the back, we displayed composure much more and conceded significantly less goals as a result. On the attack, we utilized several playmakers in unison to create opportunities which have depth and malice to our attack.”
Senior Hunter Standifer also identified the team’s strengths through the season.
“I feel like we did pretty good,” Standifer said. “We definitely improved versus last year. We’re working the ball around better and able to finish a lot more shots.”
And though both teams retire for the season, and many players for high school soccer, the experience has been immensely rewarding.
“I enjoy the team comradery,” Pool said. “The soccer team includes a number of my closest friends, all sharing the same passion. From practices to team dinners, I enjoyed every second of high school soccer.
Contributions to this article by Senior Editor Tanner Davenport
