On Monday, Oct. 7 the Manheim Township varsity boys soccer team played against Central York in the Gene Kruis stadium. A goal scored by Carter Collier secured a 1-0 win for the Blue Streaks.

Manheim Township improved their record to 9-0-8, while Central York was brought down 14-4-2.

Before the game started, 10 Blue Streak seniors were recognized for their commitment on this year’s varsity boys soccer team. The seniors are wing/back Andrew Aszmus, co-captain/forward Jack Bowman, midfielder Ahmet Dede, forward Ezekiel Eisenberg, co-captain/midfielder Gaven Emig, forward Chase Engle, manager Eyad Gomaa, wing/back Asher Kennel, defender Max Martenson and manager Lucia Yost.

After a scoreless first half, forward/center attacking middle Collier scored three minutes into the second half.

“These seniors have shown incredible perseverance,” said head coach Kevin Baker. “They have experienced all the highs and lows as high school players and have shown up ready to play and lead every single game. We started the season in a rough spot, but they continued to show up, play hard and lead every single day.”

He said that the experience of playing high school soccer has prepared the seniors for their future endeavors through commitment and teamwork. They have learned to show up every day and be there for their teammates no matter what difficulties they may have faced. They also learned how to support their teammates in both the good and the bad, putting others before themselves.

Aszmus has played soccer for 12 years, and is also involved with volleyball in the spring. He said that his most memorable moment during his high school soccer career was winning the last seven of nine games after a rough start to the season. He said that being part of the soccer team impacted his overall high school experience by introducing him to the friends and coaches that he values greatly.

Engle has played soccer for five years, and is also involved with ski club in the winter and unified track in the spring. His most memorable moment in his high school soccer career was when he scored an overtime goal against Hempfield last season in the first round of districts. The atmosphere of celebrating with his teammates made it his favorite goal. His overall high school experience was influenced by the team in a positive way because of the “friends [he has] made and the fun outside things [team members] take part in by helping the community or just having a good time,” he said.

Yost is the president of the Health Professionals of Tomorrow club, as well as the North Star committee whose mission is to produce a supportive and welcoming surrounding where all students, staff, and families feel a sense of belonging. This has been her first year of managing boys soccer. Her most memorable moment as team manager was the rematch game against Penn Manor which ended in a victory during double overtime, and included a team dog pile in the corner of the field with coach Baker. Her managing experience impacted her high school experience in that she got to see the inner workings of boys soccer and how hard the boys work for their teammates.

The team’s next game is against Lower Dauphin at home on Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. In order to prepare for district playoffs, which start on Oct. 22, Baker said that the team will continue to build on and improve every game. Playoff tickets will have to be purchased (even at home games) and athlete passes will not be accepted to get in.