On Monday, Oct. 6, the Manheim Township girls varsity soccer team hosted Central York for their senior and youth night in the Gene Kruis Stadium. Senior Regan Taylor’s goal secured a 1-0 win, closing out the regular season.
Before the game started, eight Blue Streak seniors were recognized for their dedication to the girls soccer program. The seniors are center defender Ella Byrne, forward Anneliese Denlinger, midfielder Nikki Nguyen, center defender/winger Kate Palumbo, co-captain/forward Alivian Parmer, co-captain/midfielder Regan Taylor, goalkeeper Reagan Wagner and co-captain/defender/midfielder Elaine Warfel.
After the game, the seniors reflected on their final season with the MTGSOC family. The team’s motto this year, “we>me,” aims to perfectly capture the close-knit culture the girls strive to build.
Byrne has played soccer for 11 years and plans to attend a four-year college to study business. She is a two-year member of the MT basketball team, a two-year member of the Students Against Starvation Club and the manager of the MT lacrosse team.
What is your favorite memory from your time on the team?
My favorite memory was winning the district championship.
How has soccer shaped you as a person?
It has shaped me to have discipline.
What is a tip you would give your younger teammates?
Take advantage of every opportunity.
Denlinger has played soccer for 14 years. She plans to attend a four-year college to study nursing. She is a three-year member of Mini-THON, a one-year member of the Key Club, a one-year member of the Yearbook Club and a member of the MT Unified track team.
What is your favorite memory from your time on the team?
My favorite memory from my time on the team is participating in Literacy Night.
How has soccer shaped you as a person?
Soccer has shaped me into a more disciplined and hardworking person. It has taught me how to push through challenges, work as part of a team and stay committed even when things get tough. The lessons I’ve learned on the field have carried over into my everyday life, making me more confident and resilient.
What is a tip you would give your younger teammates?
Enjoy every game and every practice, because high school soccer goes by faster than you think. Don’t be afraid to work hard, ask questions, and learn from mistakes—it’s how you’ll grow. Most importantly, play with heart and have fun, because that’s what you’ll remember the most.
Nguyen has played soccer for 13 years. She plans to attend Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, to play collegiate soccer. She is a one-year member of the MT lacrosse team, a two-year member of the Students Against Starvation Club and a two-year member of the Ski Club.
What is your favorite memory from your time on the team?
My freshman season. Going undefeated and winning leagues and districts.
How has soccer shaped you as a person?
By being a part of a team, I have learned the importance of communication. Through sports, I know that discipline is key and I have to push through challenges even when it gets tough.
What is a tip you would give your younger teammates?
The most important thing is your team. Stay encouraging to others, celebrate their successes and pick them up when they’re down. Also, confidence is key. Try new things and take risks.
Palumbo has played soccer for 13 years. She plans to attend a four-year college and potentially play collegiate soccer. She is a four-member of the MT lacrosse team, three-year member of the MT Unified Bocce team, two-year member of the Link Crew, three-year member and the new communications officer of the Interact Club, four-year member of Mini-THON (2 years as a design head and 1 year as an overall chair,) two-year member of the Ski Club and the new IB Newsletter social media officer.
What is your favorite memory from your time on the team?
My favorite memory from high school soccer is cheering and getting excited on the bench with Mia and my teammates.
How has soccer shaped you as a person?
I think it has taught me the importance of being a part of a team and how to be competitive and successful.
What is a tip you would give your younger teammates?
Value the time you get to spend with your teammates regardless of wins and losses or how soccer is going for you personally.
Parmer has played soccer for 14 years. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina to play collegiate lacrosse and major in business. She is a four-year member of the MT lacrosse team, a four-year member of the MT basketball team and a two-year member of the National Honor Society.
What is your favorite memory from your time on the team?
Winning the district championship my freshman year.
How has soccer shaped you as a person?
It has created life-long friendships for me that I didn’t know were possible.
What is a tip you would give your younger teammates?
Embrace the moment because high school goes by so fast.
Taylor has played soccer for 13 years. She plans to attend Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, to play collegiate soccer. She is a three-year member of the MT lacrosse team, a three-year member of the student council, a two-year member of the National Honor Society, a three-year member of the Ski Club and a former Mini-THON head.
What is your favorite memory from your time on the team?
When former head coach Terry Law hit the griddy.
How has soccer shaped you as a person?
Soccer, especially at Manheim Township, has allowed me to find my voice and become more confident, not only on the field but in life.
What is a tip you would give your younger teammates?
I would tell them that it goes by super fast and to enjoy every single practice, team bonding/dinner and game.
Wagner has played soccer for 10 years. She plans to go into the Air Force to become a flight paramedic before attending college to become an athletic trainer. She is a three-year member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and a two-year member of the Link Crew.
What is your favorite memory from your time on the team?
Bus rides home after away game wins.
How has soccer shaped you as a person?
Soccer has helped me learn the importance of a team and has taught me to be resilient and have discipline. It really showed me the last few years that having patience, and putting in the work, eventually pays off, if you are willing to wait for it.
What is a tip you would give your younger teammates?
Put in the work, even when nobody else is watching. It pays off.
Warfel has played soccer for 13 years. She plans to attend a four-year university. She is a three-year member of the MT swim team, a four-year member of the student council, a two-year member of the National Honor Society, a two-year member of Link Crew, a two-year member of Ski Club, a three-year member of The Township Times and a four-year member of Mini-THON.
What is your favorite memory from your time on the team?
Literacy Night. It is always so fun to share our love of the sport with future MT soccer players.
How has soccer shaped you as a person?
Soccer has taught me the value of determination and teamwork. You must constantly work to achieve your fullest potential for the betterment of yourself and those around you.
What is a tip you would give your younger teammates?
Have fun! Use soccer as an opportunity to meet new people and develop your character.
