UM Women's Soccer senior Tori Ochoa. Photo courtesy of UM Athletics. By Sarah Turner, Sports editor
Friends and family members filed into Varsity Field to celebrate the achievements of this year’s soccer senior class on Oct. 28. Both the Montevallo Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams played host to the Delta State Statesmen, and took time before each game to acknowledge all that the senior players have contributed to the program in the last four years.
The men’s team played in their last game of the season, suffering a 3-1 loss after recognizing their seven seniors, with the lone Falcon goal scored by senior Julio Rojo.
Redshirt junior Matt Sheahan explained that this season has been tough both for the team and for him as an individual. “A lot of games just haven’t gone our way,” he said.
The team did not qualify for the postseason due to their 3-10-3 record, but Sheahan said,“I don’t think it defines us as the team we are this year in terms of talent.”
This year’s men’s senior class will be greatly missed according to Sheahan.
“Montevallo for the past two years has been a powerhouse in Division II soccer,” Sheahan said, “and I think the seniors played a massive role in that.”
Prior to the men’s game, the women’s team celebrated a 2-0 win, with goals scored by freshman Lainey Farabaugh and graduate student Kieran Burkey.
Graduate student Tori Ochoa explained just how much this season has meant to her, saying, “Lots of last games, lots of last playing certain teams, but it’s been great.”
The Lady Falcons have had a successful regular season, finishing 10-4-3. Ochoa expressed that the close-knit bond of the team has been a huge factor in that success.
“Everybody just wants it more for each other, so this season has meant a ton,” she said.
Falcons women’s soccer has also had success in the postseason, securing a spot in the Gulf South Conference Championship against Lee on Nov. 11. They beat Union 1-0 on Nov. 4, with the winning goal scored by freshman Isabel Dillehay, and beat West Alabama on Nov. 9, with goals scored by freshman Morgan Goehring, graduate student Kaeri Ward and sophomore Angelina Rivas. According to Ochoa, knowing the season could end at any moment has affected the team’s style of play.
Leaving a lasting impression with the program has been an important part of this season for Ochoa, along with the team’s eight other seniors.
“Obviously I wanna leave a good soccer record there,” Ochoa said, “but, ideally, I just wanna be a teammate that people remember, somebody they can look towards, and was always there for them.”
