The girls varsity soccer team played in their annual senior night game against Lone Star High School on Jan. 16 with the final score being 3-1. After the game, the senior night traditions took place.

“I started the soccer program and the tradition of senior night 26 years ago,” girls soccer head coach Jaime Leraas said. “I borrowed things from other sports and have tweaked them along the way to turn it into what it is today.” 

According to Leraas, senior night has grown and changed a lot since it originally started because of the new aspects being incorporated like sashes. 

“We [the seniors] get little crowns and sashes that we wear [after the game] while we bring all our families out to the field,” senior center back player Grace Matthaei said. “We also film videos prior [to the game] where we talk about our four years in high school and we watch those videos on the field while receiving flowers.” 

Senior night is one of the last times the girls play together before graduating. 

“Senior night means that I get to see these ladies compete in the game but more importantly I get to see them compete in life after high school,” Leraas said.  

With all five seniors on the varsity team being co-captains, they are passing on the leadership roles to younger teammates. 

“The senior night game and tradition is bittersweet because of knowing how hard they [seniors] worked these past four years, and how far they have come,” sophomore forward player Natalie Gibson said.