Union Athletics acknowledged four senior women’s soccer team members and nine men’s soccer team members Nov. 2 during a senior night celebration.
Following the celebration, the men’s and women’s soccer teams each played the University of Alabama Huntsville teams.
“Having played here for four years now, I had watched three different senior nights but never really allowed myself to put too much thought into it until I found myself being escorted onto the field by my parents,” said senior athletic training major Dionna Linn. “It was such an honor to be able to walk out on to the field with the other seniors and think back to our very first day as freshmen on the team.”
The Lady Bulldogs lost in double overtime with less than two minutes remaining to the University of Alabama Huntsville.
Melody Dodd of the Chargers scored the only goal in the 108th minute.
This match marked the final one of the regular season for the women’s soccer team, leaving it at 6-6-3.
“It’s bittersweet knowing that soccer is coming to an end, but with just a few games left in the season I plan to play as hard as I did when I was a freshman trying to find my spot on the team,” Linn said.
The men’s soccer team also lost to the University of Alabama Huntsville, 4-2.
The Chargers scored the first goal in the second minute off a header from Kyle Simmons.
In the 17th minute, Simmons scored his second goal for the Chargers.
Alex Pratt scored the first goal for Union, putting a pass from Pedro Silva into the goal.
In the second half, the Chargers scored twice more; a goal from Yuri Ivanov in the 59th minute and Simmons in the 74th minute.
Trey Scogin recorded his first goal for Union with less than five minutes remaining.
“The last few games have been rough,” said sophomore philosophy major and goal keeper Matt Kesler. “But it has been a good time for character building as well as time for players to prove themselves.”
On Nov. 4, the Bulldogs lost 5-0 to Palm Beach Atlantic in the final regular season game of 2013.
Palm Beach Atlantic took the lead over Union by scoring two goals in the first half.
The first goal was scored by Daniel Pena of the Sailfish in the 14th minute, followed by Kenny Hogg, who scored the second goal with under seven minutes left in the first half.
In the second half, Melo Matutu scored the third goal for a 3-0 advantage in the 58th minute.
Hogg scored his second goal of the game, bringing Palm Beach Atlantic to a 4-0 lead.
The final goal was scored by Pena in the 80th minute, finalizing the score at 5-0. The result leaves Union 3-12-1 overall.
“This year has definitely been a challenge, but it has taught me how to face adversity more than anything,” Kesler said.
