As the regular season nears the end, Lakeview’s seniors grow more weary. For many, this is a conclusion to what they know as their life, as many friends, memories, and bonds were made. This year’s senior night hit especially hard for the soccer team this year, as we unfortunately faced a defeat. Nonetheless, the Lakeview spirit outshines anything.
The seniors for Lakeview soccer this year are Olivia Easton, Jacob Spencer, Matt Seikel, Ty Goyzueta, and myself, Luca Comichisto. With that being said, Easton, Seikel, and Comichisto have been in the program for all four years, only adding to the heartbreak. Senior Olivia Easton is the only senior on the girls squad this year. She is also the captain of the team and locks down the center-back position.
Senior Jacob Spencer has been on the team for two full years now, missing the rest with injury. His brother, Thomas Spencer, was a senior last year, also playing for the boy’s team. Spencer says, “It was heartbreaking last year to see my brother go, and knowing that I am next only adds to the guilt. I loved playing with my brother, and all the other seniors before him. I hate seeing my best friends go.”
Senior Matt Seikel, mid-fielder, shares his experience saying, “It was very nice to be honored on senior night with three of my friends that I have known and played with for several years and sharing the stage with them on senior night was special. Before and during the season, it really didn’t hit me that I was a senior and my soccer career was coming to an end until senior night came around, and I was walking out with my parents, which was very special. Even though we did not get the result we wanted, I think all four of the seniors won the night.”
Matt Seikel has been on the Varsity squad for all four years of high school, and has never backed down. In previous years, Seikel played center-back and outside-back, proving himself a fierce ball-stopper. This year, though, he transitioned to the center-midfield position to allow for more touches and control in the middle. Personally, I have played with Matt for about 8 years now, and we have developed an unbreakable chemistry on the field. He continues to fight battles for any ball, and come out on top.
Senior Ty Goyzueta is a returning soccer player, leaving the sport for a few years before coming back for his senior year. Goyzueta has been playing with these boys since they were all young, so his break went almost unnoticed. He returned this year with a flaming tenacity, and a hunger for victory. This year, he is tearing up the outside wing, winning every ball that comes to him.
Junior Ben Schmidt, winger, saddens us by saying, “This is the day everyone loves, but also the day that everyone dreads. Seeing those four seniors walk through with their parents just reminds you of every other year losing your best friends and brothers that you see time and time again on the field. All of them played their heart out that night, and I can not wait to see them all achieve great things later on in their lifetime.”
Junior Lucas Redmond, center back, says, “I have really enjoyed sharing the field with all four seniors this year. It was very great that we were able to honor their hard work that they put in the last four years. I will miss them for sure.”
Losing your best friends every year will never be easy, but the memories made will forever be worth it. The inevitably of departure defines the beauty of high-school, as everyone will make new friends, memories, and opportunities.
