What began as a regular game turned into an emotional night to remember for the boys varsity soccer team on Sept. 18, during their senior night match against Davison. 

Legend Hauk (12), the leading scorer, played a large role. He felt that it was an amazing experience and was glad that all the seniors were able to get the playing time that they deserved. In the game prior, Hauk was red carded and ejected from the game. This led to him almost losing the ability to play during senior night. 

“It was a very terrible call,” Hauk said. “My heart sank to the floor with that one.” 

A red card usually leads to a suspension for the following game. But Hauk got lucky and his suspension was overturned, allowing him to play with his teammates on their home field for one of the last times ever. 

It started off as a slow game, according to Kamden Bigham-Tsai (12). But as soon as they got their first goal, that’s when the momentum started to pick up.

We asked him how long he’s been playing soccer and if he will continue in college.

“I’ve been playing soccer for 13 years, but I won’t continue in college because I want to run track,” Bigham-Tsai explains. 

The air had a nice breeze as the sun was setting and the game was reaching halftime. By half, the boys were up by two, leading to the student section getting louder and louder. They created new chants and yelled at their favorite players, giving them words of encouragement. 

During half time, the seniors all lined up in the center of the field and gave short speeches about their time on the team and their future aspirations. The moment set an emotional tone for the rest of the night.

Unlike some of the other players, Copa Manoti (12) hasn’t played on the team since 2023. 

But that all changed on senior night.

He wasn’t able to play from 2023 to 2025 due to not making the team and unfortunate family issues, but he wanted to prove himself that night. Manoti claims that it was an exciting and nerveracking feeling.

Even so, he felt he could’ve done better.

“[I wish I focused on] getting out of my own head and trying to be more comfortable instead of just kicking it,” Manoti said. 

Manoti has been playing soccer since he was in second grade and has never fallen out of love with the sport. 

“As I step into what may be my last year playing the sport I truly love, I want to cherish every moment, surround myself with the right people and give everything I have left to the game the best I can, before going off into the army,” said Manoti.

Senior night was more than just a game to these players. It was a celebration of how far they’ve come and how much farther they have to go in life.