The Washington soccer team made the most of its final home showing as the Pam Pack powered past Coastal Conference rival South Central 9-1 on Tuesday to earn a Senior Night victory and preserve its playoff hopes.
Washington began the night honoring seniors Emily Bohn, Robin Thompson, Erica Alligood, Ali Amaxopolous and Lacie Anglim, but once the game began the night belonged to junior Christian Heggie who returned from a nine-game absence due to a knee injury and scored four goals.
“The return of Christian helped a lot,” Washington coach Ed Rodriguez said. “She scored 25 seconds into the game. It was a big play to start the game because we have been having trouble scoring goals when she was out.”
Washington added goals by Alana Jefferson, Harley Hudson, Warner Little, Bohn and Alligood and thanks to their production the Pack still has a shot at the playoffs.
Before the game, Washington highlighted its five seniors and Rodriguez said their efforts have meant a lot to the program.
“All of them have been around for four years, except for Ali who has been here for three,” Rodriguez said. “They have all helped a lot and have been good examples to the younger players. … They’re good people and good citizens and representatives of Washington.”
The group is a close nit one and each senior spoke of how they will miss their teammates next season.
“I’ve grown up with these girls and I have played together with them my entire life and I’m really going to miss them when the season is over,” Thompson said.
Bohn concurred and added, “I’m going to miss these girls a lot and I’m very proud of everything we accomplished.”
Anglim said that the program’s steady improvement allows her to leave on a high note.
“I’m proud of our team for making it this far,” Anglim said. “I feel like we’ve come a long way and have really become a family. It’s going to be really hard to leave these girls.”
Amoxopolous added that she will also miss the company of her friends and wished them all the best of luck as they enter the next phase of their lives.
“I’ve played with these girls for so long so it’s a little bittersweet to leave them behind but I think bigger things await us in the future,” Amoxopolous said.
For Alligood, it was exactly a year ago that she injured her knee and the senior said she was thrilled just to be able play on Senior Night and add that, “This season’s been great.”