The NDA girls soccer team celebrated senior night on Tuesday with a 6-3 conference win over Manitowoc.
This year’s senior group has been in the program all four years of high school.
Abby Lamere, Lacey Fabry and Sam Mach have experienced the recent success of this soccer program.
“The seniors have been a huge part of us being one of the most successful teams in the state. With Lacey (forward), Abby (midfielder), and Sam (defender) being at every level of the field, their consistency has not only made us strong, but it’s also been the reason we gel as a team and continue to find ways to win. Their leadership on and off the field makes us dynamic,” explained Head Coach Nick Browne.
Over the last few years, the program has seen multiple state tournament appearances and deep playoff runs.
This season, the team is currently 7-2-1 and ranked fifth in Division Three.
“A state championship is always our goal,” commented Coach Browne. “It’s what we strive for every year, and this year is no different. With this being the youngest team in our program’s history, we’ve taken huge steps already, only being halfway through. The sky is the limit. If they focus and work hard, they have a title run in them.”
Lamere talked about this young team and how the seniors have been able to help lead them.
“As a senior, we don’t help them play soccer because they already know how to do that; we get to help them with different visions and ideas on the field that coaches can not give. We also set the standard of the program’s community on and off the field. We also set the intensity that we want them to bring on the field and in training for the rest of their high school careers,” she said.
The team’s manager, Lidiya Schnieder, is also a senior this year. Though this is her first season with the program, she has enjoyed her time with the team.
“I genuinely enjoy feeling like a part of the team,” described Schneider. “Even though I never run the drills or participate in the team’s intense training, the NDA soccer program does an amazing job of making managers feel respected, appreciated and loved. I value embracing all opportunities and experiences that come my way, and I felt that this would be a great final adventure for my senior year.”
Coach Browne highlighted his time with this senior group. “It’s been a pleasure to have gotten the opportunity to work with them for four years. Most of the memories aren’t through goals and wins and losses, but through joking around with them, and getting to know them as the amazing people they are.”
Lamere concluded, “The last four years in the soccer program have given me my best high school memories. I have been given some of my closest friends and have been able to be a part of a great community.”
The team will continue their season with conference games vs Bay Port and Preble this week.
