The Final Kick-Women’s Varsity Senior Night

Women’s Varsity Soccer had their senior night on February 2nd. They recognized 8 amazing players for all their dedication to the program.

By: July Range

The team had an amazing game against Monache, and in the end, beat them 11-0.

Sammie Brammer, ‘24, says, “Senior night was so fun and filled with so many emotions. It was very bittersweet. We played well too!”

Being a part of Varsity Soccer has helped Brammer in many ways, on and off the field. She says, “It has helped me become a better player with the level of competition on the team.”

She adds, “Every player has to work hard for their playtime and bring intensity.”

Throughout the season, Brammer’s biggest supporters has been her parents. She says, “They make it to every game and give me advice on how to be a better teammate and player.”

Brammer is going to miss seeing all the girls every day for practice. She also says she’ll miss, “pre-game warmups and that feeling of excitement we get on the field.”

Ellie Gilbert, ‘24, says that senior night was a very emotional night for the entire team, herself included.

Since Gilbert’s sophomore year at Redwood, she has been a captain. This program has helped her gain many leadership skills from being a captain at a younger age.  She says, “Taking on a leadership role isn’t always the easiest thing but it allowed me to grow in that area.”

As the soccer season is finishing up, Gilbert explains how she is going to miss playing with some of her best friends.  She says, “After high school, we only have a couple of months left of club, and not all of us are in the same age group, But with Redwood, we all get to play on the same team.”

Jordyn Soto, ‘24, says senior night was very sentimental. Soto explains how Redwood soccer has helped her gain confidence as an athlete. 

This being Soto’s first year on varsity, she explains how much she values the experiences she has had so far. She says, “Just being a member of this team gives me the determination I needed throughout the season.”

Throughout the season, Soto says she loved the connection between her team. She says, “We all have a strong connection with each other either with soccer or just our friendships. We all know we have each others backs.”

Soto’s biggest supporter this season was Roxy Bahr. She says, “She was the one that encouraged me to try out again and she gave me the confidence to go out.” She adds by saying, “She was always uplifting and made push myself to get better, which I’m very grateful for.”

Soto also plans on attending College of the Sequoias and furthering her soccer career there. As the season wraps up, she says, “I enjoyed spending my last moments with the girls on the field.”

Paityn Bruce, ‘24, says, “Senior night was an awesome experience. I’m very thankful for all the people who put it together for our class because it truly is something I will never forget.”

Bruce’s favorite soccer memory was her freshman year when she was told she’d be in the starting lineup. 

She says, “I was super nervous, but I knew that If I just went out and played how I knew too, I’d be fine. That night I ended up scoring 2 goals and making my debut!”

Something that Bruce will miss is the bond that was created between the team. She says, “Each year we have a great team and I’m going to miss that connection.”

Bruce explains how appreciative she is of her coach as well. She says, “He has created such an amazing atmosphere and dedicates a lot of time to making our program what it is today.”

She finishes by saying, “I am so grateful to be a part of this program and I’ll never forget the experiences I had.”

Payten Ball, ‘24, explains how senior night was such a great experience filled with many emotions. 

Ball’s favorite memory was the Slo beach trip at the beginning of the season. She says, “All the girls got to connect and get to know each other better which helped us connect on the field.”

Ball says being a part of Redwood Soccer’s program has, “Helped me give my best effort and communicate on the field.”

Coach Jason Viera also says how proud he is of the way Payten stepped up this season.

He says, “Last season she was the varsity backup goalkeeper and this year she worked really hard to be a field player and a defender on our team.”

He adds, “She’s been one of the most solid players on our team every game. She brings it on matchdays and she’s been a force for our defense.”

As Payten continues to play soccer at College of the Sequoias, she says, “I’m going to miss all the memories we made as a team and the bonds that have been created throughout these past years.”

Roxy Bahr, ‘24, says, “Senior night was a super sweet night, but also a little sad.” Bahr says Redwood soccer has helped her in many ways. She says, “Redwood soccer has improved my level of play through training, but also through game IQ and understanding strategy.” 

Bahr’s favorite memory while playing soccer at Redwood is, “Beating teams last year that were ranked much higher than us.”

Leaving the Redwood soccer community, Bahr says, “I will miss some of the bonds created with the team that are on and off the field.”

Leah See, ‘24, explains how senior night was bittersweet. She says, “I had an amazing time with my coaches, teammates, friends, family.”

Being a part of the Soccer program for four years has helped See physically and mentally. She says, “I’ve become a better player on the field over time and mentally I’m able to push myself  to continue to do better.”

See plans to continue playing Division 1 soccer at CSU Monterey Bay. Moving on to college, See says she is going to miss all the girls. She says, “The girls are who make up the team and I will miss playing with all of them so much.”

Alyssa Hernandez, ‘24, says senior night was amazing! She says, “ I loved being able to have my family by my side and getting to experience all the love and support I have.”

She also adds, “It was sad because I have grown up playing with most of the girls, and It hit me that this is my last season playing with them.”

Playing for Redwood soccer, Hernandez says, “It’s helped me grasp how to be a leader for all of the younger girls and also learn how to fight for the girls on my team.” 

She adds, “We are family and we learn how to cherish that because it flies by before you know it.” This season, Hernandez had surgery on her ankle. Throughout the recovery, she says her biggest supporters were her parents.

She says, “They were always by my side helping me with my recovery and being there to push me when I was scared of never being the same player.”

Hernandez was able to play for her senior night and says, “I wouldn’t be here and playing if it wasn’t for them and I am forever grateful.”

Hernandez will be attending Cal State Bakersfield and playing Division 1 soccer. She says, “I’m very excited to continue my athletic career and the experience that comes with it.”

Hernandez finishes by saying, “I’m going to miss all of the team lunches, dinners, practices, and the feeling of family we have at Redwood.”

Coach Vieria exclaims how it’s been a privilege to watch all the seniors grow as people. 

He says there are so many different stories and experiences from each of his players. Ellie Gilbert for example, “Made varsity as a freshman and is going to leave here as the all-time assists leader.”

As all the seniors are leaving, Coach Vieira says, “I’m going to miss seeing Leah See interact with her teammates because she’s just such a positive person. I’m going to miss the warrior spirit that Alyssa Hernandez, Roxy Bahr and Paityn Bruce bring to the team, overcoming injuries and working their tails off to help their team win. I’m going to miss Payten Ball and Sammie Brammer because they’re just such amazing kids and they’ve worked so hard the past 4 years to improve their game.”

Coach Vieira says, “All 8 are special individuals and I’ll miss them all in their own ways.”

Tags: #athletics, #redwood, #sports