The Raiders held a ceremony dedicated to the 13 seniors that played for the girls soccer program this season on October 29. Traditions continued with the other players decorating the seniors’ cars and the locker room for a warm send off as they played in one of the last games of their high school careers. Senior Night celebrated each senior: Julia Brouillette, Isata Kargbo, Alexa Kling, Ava Lucariello, Valeria Ortiz, Jeeya Patel, Evelyn Reese, Gisella Rivera, Emma Stibitz, Riley Sutton, Vivian Wasserman, Samantha Wiley, and Elizabeth Wilke.

“It’s always sad seeing a group going away, especially the girls that have been on varsity the last couple of years,” said head coach Lennaert Bitter. “The result of the game might have been disappointing; however, the seniors showed that they can compete.”

As the clock started, Hillsborough knew that going head to head with Bridgewater was going to be difficult. In the first two minutes of the game the opponents came out with a strong offense and scored the first point. The defense on the Raiders side was amped up as Stibitz kept the ball away from the goal and locked it down in the back. The ball persistently stayed on Hillsborough’s side of the field, as the athletes searched for the opportunity to move the ball up the field.

The team continued to play even if any changes were made during the game. Sophomore goalkeeper Ania Nevaeh Lopez-Acuna made several saves, as she dove and leapt for the ball to keep Bridgewater from scoring. Halfway through the first half Bridgewater scored again at the bottom corner and was up 2-0. With time running out the Raiders needed to get themselves on the scoreboard. The opportunity came when the team had a corner shot. Kling took it and Patel scored a goal, closing the gap to 2-1. 

Passes were connecting as Hillsborough kept pushing the ball to the other side of the field. As the first half was running out of time, Bridgewater went to widen the gap for their opponents with two goals, bringing the score to 4-1. The Raiders did not make it easier for them. Hillsborough kept playing with high energy as the first half came to an end, and they regrouped to bring their focus back.  

In the second half, the action kept fans intrigued. Just a minute in, Kling took a shot on Bridgewater’s goal, but a save kept the score where it was. Lopez-Acuna made another save from a free kick to Hillsborough. Reese took a free kick to Bridgewater and just nearly scored. The Raiders were not backing down, and the rest of the game had more fouls and free kicks for both teams. Bridgewater was clearly looking to just run the clock out. Subs for players on the team went on and off the field to get every player some time in hopes of earning another goal. A final free kick to Hillsborough’s goal brought the final score to 5-1.

Every senior came together emotionally. Not because they lost but because they shared a lot of good memories with their team and coaches and it was coming to a close. 

Despite the efforts of the team, the game ended with a 5-1 loss

“Seniors: it has been a great run with a lot of success. I wish you all the best in the future,” said.

Senior Spotlight: Captain Emma Stibitz

“From this season I am most proud of how we learned how to play with each other and how we figured out how to bounce back after we lost the first 5 games. I’ll miss practices the most, and how we would mess around, but still get everything done with intensity.”

“After high school I will attend a four-year college for exercise science. I plan to become an occupational therapist. I also plan to run track and field in college at a division 1 school, uncommitted as of right now.”

Senior Spotlight: Captain Alexa Kling

“I’m most proud of how we were able to turn our season around, especially having a very rough start, with no wins and no goals. I feel like we’ve come so far. I’ll miss the environment of our team and our practices, with everyone supporting each other.”

“After high school, I plan to attend a four-year college where I will study Biology on a Pre-Vet Track, as I eventually want to be a veterinarian.”