Masuk Free Press

On Thursday, October 16th, the Masuk Girl’s soccer team stepped onto the field for one of their last times during their regular season. Senior night, infamous in the program for its extravagant celebrations and anticipated arrival, is an annual event where teams and parents come together to celebrate the soon-to-be graduates who have given their heart, effort, and time into the program for years. 

Senior night, a debated topic between students on staff on whether or not the anticipation and splendor is deserved, is a tradition on every Masuk sports team. Many student athletes have been looking forward to the night since being underclassmen, heightening the expectancy of the event. “This has been something that I’ve been looking forward to since I was a freshman, because we put so much effort into everybody’s senior night in past years. I am so excited to see what they do for us.” said senior Alex Cecchino, who shared a snapshot of the emotions a few days before the big night. “Our team has never been this close and has so much love for each other. So I know that it’s going to be so hype and we’re so excited to play this game with nine out of 11 players on the field being seniors.” 

The night consisted of traditions that have existed for years in the girls soccer program, some originating with the beginning of the team. “For senior night, we walk down the hill all together. We check out all the posters, open our gifts, and listen to sad music. 
We all cry together. We get ready, we do speeches, the ceremony, and then we finally play.” The seniors walk arm-in-arm down the paved hill down to the field, met by their fellow teammates and waited for by their parents. Memories and reminiscent moments float between the girls as they see their names decorated on the pavement down, and handmade posters lining the fences around the field. 

Cecchino and other senior player Abby Yeager continued to share about the emotions that night: “It was weird at first, because while we were so excited, we didn’t want to believe it was our last Masuk senior night” expressed Cecchino, one of the 9 seniors and a varsity player since her freshman year. “It was a bittersweet night.” For most of the girls, though, one moment sticks out above the others. Known as the most looked forward to parts of the night, senior speeches are written and delivered by a junior for each graduating player. 

Yeager, one of the players celebrated in the big event, told more about these heartfelt monologues. “The speeches were super emotional. 
Every one is lengthy and really personal. We all cried, they’re always so touching.” Speeches outline the love and relationships that have been woven into the threads of the team, and bring most to tears at the reality that those bonds will soon be separated by the distance of college. 

Not only was the energy during the game electric between the players, but radiated from the field and into the stands, to stir those watching. “It was awesome to see how many people went out to support them. 
The stands were packed and the atmosphere was super heightened, even though it was freezing! Barlow is a rival game, which only made the night better,” shared Masuk student Molly Kinahan, who braved the cold Thursday night to see some of her friends play on the field in the fleeting last moments of their season. 

The Panthers beat the Joel Barlow Falcons 2-1, wrapping up the night in an emotional victory for the team. While senior night isn’t their last game, the girls move to playoffs and the CIAC tournament to wrap up their season in this final month. While seniors hold sadness as their high school soccer career starts to come to an end, the 2025 senior night was more than a yearly event; but a memory the girls will remember far past their high school years. One, they believe, that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.