By Natalia Lopez
On Thursday night, the P.K. Yonge girls soccer team celebrated Senior Night, honoring their seven seniors Faith Hardy, Elliot Pancoast, Mallory Dassa, Emma Mansfield, Mae Dodd, Marin Best, and Sydnie Colaw.
“They have done so much for this team, and they are all contributors,” said P.K. Yonge coach Rebecca Schackow.
It was a senior night success for the Blue Wave, who ended their regular season with a 9-1 mercy win against Santa Fe Raiders (Alachua) to finish the regular season at 12-2-1.
In the first half of the game, the Blue Wave did not let up their pressure with various attempts for goals from kickoff. The Lady Blue Wave dominated the field throughout the game, not letting the Raiders touch the ball.
Dodd started her senior night with the first goal made off a rebound from a corner kick by junior Paulina Cervantes.
A sibling duo on the field, Cervantes and Ellie Cervantes showcased remarkable chemistry, not only with each other but also with the entire team.
This duo controlled the field by switching the field and with their quick one-touch passes, the Raiders were unable to steal the ball.
“They are going to be the next leaders,” Schackow said. “They are the future.”
Paulina Cervantes scored a goal on an assist by Dassa putting them up 2-0.
Hardy was unstoppable and scored two goals in the first half on assists by Mansfield and Dodd.
This ended the first half with a score of 4-1 with the Blue Wave in the lead.
In the second half, the P.K. Yonge girls continued their relentless fight, starting with an opening play that resulted in a goal by Paulina Cervantes.
Shortly after, Hardy scored again, securing her hat trick.
Mansfield capped her senior night with a goal from a direct free kick ending the game to secure a mercy-rule victory.
“We have to stay very focused on our fitness and our focus. Being smart and being in great shape all the way to the bitter end. You can’t let up.” Schackow said. “We have the talent; we have the hard workers but the opponents out there that we are going to face are right there too.”
The P.K. Yonge girls are preparing for their journey to the state championship, determined to bring home the title in the weeks ahead after advancing to its first final four in program history last year.
