2 days Ago By By Alex Kopf [email protected]
The Yankton Gazelles girls’ soccer team defeated the Huron Tigers, 10-0, on Senior Night at Crane-Youngworth Field on Tuesday evening. The decisive victory was propelled by goals from four different seniors, as the Gazelles scored nine goals in the first half. Despite the score, the bigger story was senior night.
As Yankton will graduate six senior players this year. Other than a blowout victory in their last guaranteed home game, this is what the seniors acknowledged as their favorite memory in their time as a Gazelle. Eleanor Johnson #9: “My favorite memory is just the bus rides, going to tournaments, but mostly anything to do with my teammates.
” Chloe Blom #19: “My favorite memory was when we won the Championship in Blaine, and just being around my teammates.” Chloe Foote #16: “My favorite memory is the water balloon fight that we had last year at practice.” Haley Luke #14: “My favorite memory is the team meals with my teammates.
” Tessa Gillies #3 “My favorite memory was the camp we all went to as a team.” Carly Cap #2: My favorite memory is riding the bus home and just being with my teammates.” Teammates and sense of family was the common theme among seniors after the game on Tuesday.
“It’s always a good senior night when you go out and play well,” Gazelles’ head coach Tyler Schuring said. “Being able to get them plenty of game experience and put on a good show is great. It’s always a bonus when the seniors score.
” Regardless of the score, Yankton’s main focus is the remaining games on their schedule. With a couple wins, the Gazelles can claim home field advantage for at least one game in the state playoffs. According to coach Schuring, that goal is being driven by four words: Grit, unity, trust, and mentality.
“No matter who we’re playing we are going to keep the mentality that getting the win is all that matters,” Schuring said. “Hopefully we can push it through and play at home in the first round.” The Gazelles head to Mitchell on Sept.
19 as they enter the last stretch of the regular season. In junior varsity action, Yankton also defeated Huron 10-0 and led by six at half. Mikayla Rutjes and Elly Blom both had a pair of goals.
The other six goals were scored by Ainsley Clark, Faye Ireland, Janessa Stehlik, Willa Tacke, Kylie Bentley and Addison Mentele. Follow @Alex_kopf30 on X (Twitter).
