Masuk Free Press

Yesterday, on Tuesday Oct. 8, Masuk girls soccer faced off against New Fairfield. This game was particularly special, however, because just before it started, their senior night took place. 

For the senior night, the hill was chalked with all the seniors’ names and all sorts of slogans, and the field’s fence was covered in posters made mostly by the JV team. It definitely had an impact on the New Fairfield team, with some of their players making noticeably surprised or impressed faces when they came off their bus prior to the start of the senior night.

It was organized and set up by juniors Ella Mcgee, Amelia Stephens, and Kara Leanders. “It was definitely a process, I think it was very anxious leading up to it, and you know, a little bit of emotion got in the way, there was a little bit of anger, but, at the end of the day we get it done and they loved it so, I think it worked out really well,” said Leanders. 

During the senior night, speeches were given for each player by juniors, except for Tatianna Fabryk, who was given one by her sister freshman Natalia Fabryk, who is also on the varsity team with her. Just like last year, they were all heartfelt and emotional, and a few speakers even had some on the sideline tearing up. 

This is Katy Kreiner’s first year at Masuk as head coach of girls soccer. On the subject of the seniors, she said, “Incredible, incredible. Very bittersweet, as we have our last home game tonight for senior night. A couple of these seniors were freshmen when I was the assistant coach a few years ago, so it’s great to have had them on their way in and now on their way out, and just to have been able to watch their growth both on the field and off the field as well.”

Sadly, the game ended in a tie, but our lady panthers didn’t go down without a fight. Through the game, the entire field showed constant passion and a determination to win. Senior Brianna VanDerheyden had several shots on goal, supplied with balls from midfielders senior Lauren Eigo and junior Amelia Stephens. Junior Ella Mcgee and senior Kylie Hurme had several crosses in the air and on the ground. Their defense worked hard to get the ball back to their teammates, with great and constant displays of talent from junior Abby Yeager and senior Tatianna Fabryk.“I think it was really intense, the team stuck together, we passed, we did everything Coach Katy has taught us to do throughout the season. It was very aggressive. Unfortunately though, we did end in a tie, but I think it was a pretty even matched game and I think we played our hearts out,” said senior Lauren Eigo.

At the end of the game, there was a disagreement between the refs and the people on the sides. The refs made a no call on something that the people on the sidelines thought was handball, and those on the sidelines were disappointed with their decision. Though the game did end with some controversy, a lighter moment occurred when senior Kylie Hurme was awarded the player of the match ball, something given to the MVP of each varsity game. 

All in all, it was a great night for Masuk girls soccer, its seniors, and the rest of the players on all teams. Their next game is on Thursday, Oct. 10 away at Brookfield.