NEDERLAND - The Nederland High School girls’ soccer team had six wins this season when they played their last home game of the year.

There is really only one word to describe the greatest strength of play for the Panthers this year: defense. Other teams struggled to get past this solid Panther defense. Not many points were scored against Nederland this season. 

If a team has great defense you know they are in top physical condition and work well together. That can be attributed to the commitment of the players and their head coach. 

Head Coach Luis Gonzalez has been building the soccer program at Nederland Middle-Senior High School for seven years. His positive attitude is contagious, and he is always telling the team, “Be Proud to be Ned and I am proud to work with you.” 

He adds, “Have passion, bravery, and honor!” 

At the last home game, on April 30, the seniors on the team were honored as well as their families. Coach Gonzalez thanked the seniors for all the years they had dedicated to the team.

Senior Night is always bittersweet, difficult to say goodbye knowing the team will be without six of their outstanding players next year, as we all know it is time for them to graduate.

The seniors on the girls’ soccer team this season are Payton Kutscher, Kendall Zotti, Natalia Garcia Upczak, Lauren Schrader, Jolie Turner, and Laila Waldron. 

At this last home game of the season the Panthers defeated Aurora West College Prep Academy with a score of 1-0. The winning goal was kicked into the net during the first half by freshman Naima Bullings. 

Before the soccer team took the field, the Panthers honored three seniors on the track team. Track coaches Gavin Coombs and Kathy Butler were joined on the track by the seniors and their families.

Head Coach Coombs thanked Jesse Siegal Gane and Cedar Shupe for coming out for track for the first time as seniors. Historically, these two young men are soccer players. As seniors, they decided to play a sport every season during their last year. Nederland sports definitely benefitted from their decision. 

Coombs then introduced Lukey Mahorski-Bodley. Four years ago, when Coombs became the track and cross country coach, Mahorski-Bodley approached him and said that he would be his first four-year senior on both teams. Coombs has stayed on as coach and Mahorski-Bodley was in both sports for four years. He kept his word.  

Congratulations to all the senior athletes and their families.