Gouverneur Girls Varsity Soccer Team host Senior Night Celebration

by Rachel Hunter

Eight seniors on the Gouverneur High School Wildcat Girls Varsity Soccer Team were celebrated on Wednesday, October 14 before the home game against Franklin Academy (Malone Central). The seniors included: Holly Barton, Haylee Campbell, Breena Drake, Rorey Fuller, Elaina Lumley, Reese Morenz, Hope Simmons, and Laney Smith. The ceremony was led by Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Mark Martin and assisted by Coach Kurt Wells.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the Gouverneur Soccer Field for our special evening as we recognize our eight amazing seniors. I would like to take a quick moment to thank a few of our own. Our Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Lauren French, Principal Cory Wood, and our Athletic Director Chris Marshall for giving us all a chance to play soccer this season during this tough year we have all had to face.”

Coach Martin then recognized the seniors from Malone Central. Each was presented with a floral bouquet and had their picture taken. The seniors were as follows: Jacklyn Santamore, Ryleigh McCauley, Madison Klepfer, Jordan Pickering, Madison Ansari, Taylor Covey, and Jessica Delisle. Much gratitude was extended to Malone Huskies Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Terry Collins and the soccer team for allowing time for the senior night festivities before the game.

Coach Martin then continued his address as follows: “As a graduating senior athlete, you have been challenged to set your goals high, stretch yourself, and to be industrious in all that you do. You have also been taught that athletics is a preparation for life and what you learn from being on a team is a microcosm of life. The things your coaches and teachers taught you about life are about to begin making sense. You will soon see what they meant.

“Our new life’s journey may have you continue in athletics, but most will not. You possibly could play in college, but most have taken off their competitive cleats for the last time. Other than recreational league games, most will not be under a coach’s influence any longer. You will learn to appreciate the fact that you were a member of your Gouverneur High School team and had the opportunity to play soccer.

“As you graduate, don’t forget what you have been taught, both on and off the playing field. Be a leader among family and friends. Be a leader in your community or on your campus. Be a responsible citizen and a good representation of all those who have invested their time to prepare you for this point in your life.

“In conclusion, athletics have now played an important role in your educational process. Coaches, teachers and parents have finished their task of training you. Make sure you thank them. Take what you have learned from all of them and make a smooth transition into “the rest of your life.” I wish you the best. We will all be cheering for you.”

Coach Martin then moved forward with the individual recognition of each senior. As their names were called, floral bouquets and a photo collage of their time on the GCS Soccer Field were presented to each senior. Each senior was joined in the celebration with their parents, and took the opportunity for a photo opportunity. The seniors were as follows:

Reese Lorenz, daughter of Rusty and Nicole Morenz, is a six-year school soccer player. She played summer travel an indoor soccer and adult league in Lowville. Reese will be going to attend SUNY Canton for Nursing.

Hope Simmons, daughter of Ed and Desiree Simmons, is a four-year school soccer player. She played in Lowville adult league. Hope hopes to study Criminal Law.

Rorey Fuller, daughter of Jason and Jenelle Fuller, is a six-year soccer player who played summer league, indoor league, Lowville adult league. Rorey plans on going to SUNY Canton to get her Bachelor’s Degree so she can apply for SUNY Upstate Medical and specialize as an OBGYN.

Holly Barton, daughter of Joe and Evelyn Barton, is a six-year school soccer player. She is a two-year starter, and is a year-round soccer player (indoor and outdoor Lowville Adult League). Holly is going to study to be a Registered Nurse.

Breena Drake, daughter of Brian and Kim Drake, is a six-year school soccer player, two-year varsity starter. She is a year-round soccer player (Lowville Adult League). She will be attending North Country Community College study Radiologic Technology.

Haylee Campbell, daughter of Gary and Mona Campbell, is a six-year school soccer player. She is a three-year varsity soccer player and starter. She was part of the 2018 Undefeated Class B Co-Championship Team. She is going to attend SUNY Canton for Nursing.

Laney Smith, daughter of Ed and Patti Smith, is a six-year school player, year-round soccer player, who also played in the Lowville Adult League. She was the 2018 Section 10 Defensive MVP, Two-Time First-Team All Northern, Times All North First Team, and led the Wildcats to the 2018 Undefeated Co- Class B Championships. She was the top three-scorer last year as a defensive player. Laney Smith was one of Coach Martin’s first players from Gouverneur that started at the age of 10. She played for two years on the Section 10 Select Team, and for two years has been co-captain. “One of the Gouverneur’s top girl soccer players… period!” Coach Martin said. She will be attending SUNY Potsdam for teaching.

Elaina Lumley, daughter of Allison Woods, has played soccer year-round for seven years full-time, starting when she was 10 years old. Coach Martin said that, other than his own daughter, Ireland, Elaina has played the most soccer for him. She started on defense on the 2018 Undefeated Class B Co-Championship and Central League Championship Team. Her defense group allowed only five goals all season. “Elaina has always been a rock in our Gouverneur club and the school program,” Coach Martin said. “She is a player that I will definitely miss! Elaina, it has been an honor to coach you full-time for all these years. Thank you for helping us build a successful program and sticking with me to the end.” Elaina will be attending either SUNY Jefferson or SUNY Canton and hopes to study Nursing.

A final word to parents and players: Much gratitude was extended. “I’m truly honored and blesse for the time, effort, commitment to myself and to our Gouverneur Girls Soccer Program. We are on top because of you. Seniors, good luck. Now let’s go play.”

But before the game commenced the Coach Martin was presented with a signed soccer ball with all the girls names as a “thank you” for his years of coaching. “On behalf of everyone at Gouverneur Soccer, who has been taught how to play soccer, summer or during school, the seniors would like to give Coach Martin a little gift,” Coach Wells said. Coach Martin graciously accepted the gift and elbow-bumped the presenting seniors in gratitude in keeping with the COVID-19 health recommendations.

The Gouverneur Girls Varsity Soccer Team then took a group picture with parents on the Gouverneur Soccer Field before game play commenced. Gouverneur won, 2-1, against Malone. Many words of congratulations were extended to the team following the first home game win.