Four members of the Allegheny women’s soccer team and six members of the men’s soccer program all played the last match of their collegiate careers this past weekend on Oct. 28 at the Robertson Athletic Complex.

Senior players, Sierra Beaty, Sam Brooks, Sarah Donohue and Sarah Sherwood were all four-year members of the women’s program and, joined with their families, were honored before the start of their last regular match of the 2017 season against their conference opponent, the Kenyon College Ladies.

Beaty, an outside fullback from Spencerport, N.Y. has appeared in over 16 games per season since her freshman year, served as a team captain her senior season and has expressed reluctance in letting go of her sport.

“I’m extremely proud of what this team has been able to accomplish, but of course I wish this season, our last season, could continue,” Beaty said. “It’s hard to imagine my day-to-day life without soccer being a part of it anymore.”

The Kenyon College Ladies triumphed over the Gators in the last match of the regular NCAC season, ending the 2017 season for the Allegheny women’s program. Strong offensive play during the second half lifted Kenyon to a 2-0 victory after Kenyon out-shot Allegheny, 18-2. The Kenyon Ladies totaled 11 shots on goal, and Allegheny goalkeeper Maya Hackman, ’21, tallied nine saves.

The Gators were unable to pressure Kenyon offensively to the same extent during the second half, with only one shot on goal from center midfielder Blair Proteau, ’21.

Donohue, an outside midfielder, center forward and two-year captain from Buffalo, N.Y. has also appeared in over 16 games per season since her freshman year and has recognized both the potential of the women’s soccer program moving forward, and the significance her parents have had in her own career.

“My last collegiate season couldn’t have been what it was without the support of my parents, and without the most recent additions to this team,” Donohue said. “While I can’t play anymore, I know the women who just finished their first collegiate season, will bring a lot to the table in the future.”

Shannon McGuinn, ’21, has scored eight goals in her first season, tallied 19 shots on goal and has been named the Allegheny College Gator of the Week for two consecutive weeks of the 2017 season. Kelli Gaus, ’21, and Blair Proteau, ’21, have each had two goals in their first season with the Gators.

Kenyon College’s women’s soccer team will now advance to the NCAC Championship Game against the Wittenberg University Tigers, but the senior class of the Allegheny College women’s program, despite the results of their last season, will continue to reflect on their careers in a positive manner.

“I basically began playing soccer when I first learned how to walk,” Donohue said. “Now that it’s over, all I can think about is the picture hanging in my house from when I was a toddler; my dad was kneeling next to me, and placed a ball at my feet.”

The Allegheny men’s soccer team also ended their season on Oct. 28 against the Kenyon College Lords. With a goal in the first-half from Kenyon’s  Woo Jeon, ’18, and two goals in the second-half from Henry Myers, ’18, and Jack Cohen, ’21, the Gators were defeated in their season finale, 3-0.

Before the match, the Gators honored the four-year, senior members of the team: Bryce Evans, Tolossa Hassan, Izaak Miller, David Stekla,  Corey Twichel  and Tristen Thakar.

Miller, a starting center forward and a senior captain from Norwich, Conn. had two shots during the match against Kenyon College, one skimming the top of the crossbar at the end of the first-half. Center fullback Liam McKersie, ’19, competed offensively and matched Miller with two shots in the match against Kenyon.

While the men’s team ended its 2017 season 5-11-1 overall, Miller expressed that he will continue to root for his teammates and his coaches, Assistant Coach Brandon Nicholson and Head Coach Angelo Panzetta, in the seasons to come.

“Athletes know that their experiences on a team, good or bad, stem a lot from how their coaches lead that team,” Miller said. “[Panzetta] is awesome, he has always brought members of this team together, has made my experience at Allegheny what it is, and I wish him, Coach Nicholson and my fellow teammates the absolute best.”

Evans, ’18, quoted a line from Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Athletic Communication Jim Berger as he walked off the turf at the end of his last collegiate match.

“Once a Gator, always a Gator,” Evans said.