Victoria Domiciano contributed to this article.
Held at MacDonald Stadium on Thursday, October 15th, Girls’ Soccer Senior Night commemorated each senior as friends and family came to celebrate their hard work during the 2026 fall season.
The night was filled with laughter and bonding in the stands as Malden played a tough and defensive match against Everett.
After the game ended in a 0-0 tie, the ceremony to highlight the seniors took place. “We would’ve liked to win, but it wasn’t a loss, so it was better than nothing,” expressed senior Center Back Nyla Pierre.
The first half was played with high intensity and physicality from both teams.
Overall, both halves remained scoreless as players displayed their defensive adjustments to each other’s offense. “There wasn’t enough communication, and it was stressful because it was senior night and everyone wants to win for senior night,” emphasized Pierre.
“We’re often forcing balls up the field, despite having better options. This is partially due to our teams habit of trying to play individually rather than as a team. It’s something we’ve unfortunately been conditioned to do, but at higher levels of soccer, playing individually hurts the team a lot more than it may help the team. We need to pass the ball around, and pick our heads up to find easy options, something I feel we often forget to do. We shouldn’t be forcing the ball up the field, but unfortunately on senior night that exactly what we were doing, therefore explaining our tie,” Senior Captain and Center Midfielder Amelia Berliner reflected.
Despite the loss, all the various playing styles and passion were recognized. “I am so proud of where our team has come with our different playing styles, teamwork, and passion,” commented Senior Captain and Right Back Defender Sofia Vargas.
The stands were packed with alumni of the Malden’s girls’ soccer team, families and friends of the players, and other supporters.
After the game ended, the audience ran down to the field, and the underclassmen lined up across from each other, creating a tunnel for the seniors to run through.
The girls’ soccer coach, Rick Casada, wanted to show the seniors appreciation through his speech. He recognized this class as “one of the best,” elaborating that they are not only “good at soccer,” but also “great kids.”
Casada shouted out the fact that they made it to States last year, and that was the fourth time the girls’ varsity soccer team has ever made States, and announced that “they might make it this year again.”
After expressing his gratitude toward the girls, he then started calling each senior and dedicated a personal speech to them, then had them run through the lines made by the underclassmen soccer girls. Each player was given a bouquet.
“I felt super appreciated; I felt so much love throughout the entire night. My entire family came, and everyone else I’ve grown up with through high school,” said senior Outside Winger Maya Pedraza.
With more seniors coming down the field to get pictures with relatives and friends, many players shed emotions on the amazing night. “The love I felt that night didn’t compare to any other experience I’ve felt being celebrated.” Captain Berliner commented as she listened to the speech performed by her coach—walking down the field with her family—being able to sulk in the moment.
“For me it meant a lot because that was my fifth year, and every single year I would help create the senior nights, be there early, fill up balloons, and it was finally my turn to sit back and just watch everything for me– it was my day. It was so heartwarming to see everyone come support me. High school sports are so much more than athletics and staying in shape; it becomes a community, and having your friends come support that is an indescribable feeling,” Berliner continued.
The night ended as all the seniors picked up their posters and gifts and left MacDonald Stadium. The entire night displayed all the love and appreciation everyone has for the team and their hardworking seniors. “This night was well worth the wait; it all came down to it, and it makes me excited for my future games,” she concluded.
Their upcoming games may determine their journey to States, as they hope to make it for the third year in a row.
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