MCHS falls to Le Grand during final home game

Emotions ran high as the Grizzlies girls soccer team was defeated by Le Grand 3-2 on Jan. 23 during their final home stand of the season.

The team celebrated their seniors after the game with friends and family gathered on the field with the seniors for one final time.

Scoring was opened by Le Grand’s Geraldine Reyes about 15 minutes into the game when Reyes escaped Tamzen McCollom and Phoebe Davis to score on goal tender Izzy Remington.

About seven minutes later the Bulldog’s goalie left the box and freshman Alicia Garcia tied the game at 1-1.

About 35 minutes into the game Bailee Wenger had a corner kick directly to Whitney Marcis who blasted the ball in for a goal.

The Grizzlies led 2-1 at the halftime.

The Bulldogs came out ready to go in the second half. It only took about two minutes for Le Grand to tie the game.

Marcis took a penalty kick for Garcia a short time later but wasn’t able to capitalize and the ball sailed over the goal.

With about five minutes left in the game Le Grand secured their third goal of the night and the win with a final score of 3-2.

After the emotional loss, the Grizzlies gathered on the field to celebrate their seniors.

Seniors on the girls soccer team this season include McCollom, Milly Steed, Kaia Ramirez, Kelsea Coder, Rosie Neogy, Juniper Helling and Marley Gediman.

Coder has been playing soccer for four years.

“Thank you for the last four years and everything you’ve done for our program,” said Adam Finney, who has been coaching and helping with the team for many years.

“Thank you for helping us get better every day.”

Neogy has been playing soccer all four years of high school.

Neogy’s favorite memory is “coming back from an away game on a bus and ultimate battle broke out between the boys team and the girls,” explained coach Katie Pike.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done and all your energy,” Finney said.

Helling has also been a part of the MCHS soccer team for all four years of high school.

“She plans on becoming a big foot hunter to catch big foot,” read Pike.

Helling thanked her friend Dakota Murray and her parents.

McCollom has been a part of the team for four years.

McCollom’s favorite memory is “talking and laughing with friends on late night bus rides back from away games,” Pike said.

Steed has been playing soccer for two years.

After graduation Steed plans to take a gap year before attending junior college in Santa Barbara.

Ramirez has been with the team for three years.

“I would like to thank Katie for being there to help me and being someone I can talk to about anything,” Ramirez explained.

Gediman has been playing soccer for four years.

“She wants to attend a four-year university and be a nurse,” Pike said.

“Her favorite memory is hanging out with her friends.”

After the loss to Le Grand the Grizzlies were 4-3-1 in league.

With just four games remaining in the regular season, MCHS traveled to Gustine on Jan. 27.

Results were not available at press time.

Next up, the Grizzlies will travel to Stone Ridge Christian on Feb. 2 to face the Knights (6-1).

Game time is 3:30 p.m.