With spirits high and socks higher, the Waves soccer teams took to the field one last time on Saturday, Jan. 25 for Senior Day. Both teams defeated Yazoo County, with the Lady Waves winning 9-1 and the Blue Waves winning 4-1.

The Lady Waves played first. Scoring twice in the first three minutes, the game was off to a great start. The game finished with a mercy-rule win after 50 minutes, ending the girls’ season with a 7-5 record and a 2-2 district record.

Ashley Mangus started off the scoring streak with a goal in the second minute. Tiera Macon’s first goal was quickly to follow, and she scored another goal just minutes before the mercy-rule finish. Niyah Troup, Samaria Swims, and Emily Berry each scored a goal. Taylor Willis had a hat trick, scoring three goals for her team.

Senior and Co-captain Tiera Macon was happy with how her team played on Saturday, and she enjoyed getting to play alongside her friends during the season.

“It was really good, and I had fun,” Macon said. “I think the season overall went really well for us. I loved it.”

Amanda Anderson, a junior and a leading scorer throughout the season, felt great pride toward her team for the hard work they have put into the season.

“The last game of the season definitely demonstrated our work ethic this season. Not only have we overcome inexperience, but we did so with an open and positive mindset,” Anderson said. “However, the success of the team would not have been possible without our senior captains, Tierah Macon and Taylor Willis.”

Following the girls match, the senior Waves lined up along the sideline. Each senior was given a blue or white balloon and was recognized alongside their family, smiling from ear to ear and sharing their favorite memories from the season.

After the senior recognition, the Blue Waves began warming up for their game.

All four of the Blue Waves’ goals were scored by junior Cameron Wright. The Blue Waves ended their season 5-7 record and a 3-5 district record. Even with Coach Tim Wood absent for their final game, the boys were still able to work together with Coach Chuck Yarborough to win their final game.

Senior and Captain Dylan Johnson enjoyed playing on the team for his junior and senior years, and he was proud of the way he and his teammates played this season.

“I’ve been playing soccer with my seniors for two years now and loved every second of it. We’ve been through thick and thin with each other and we performed better than any of us thought we could do this season,” Johnson said. “[The] game was a memoir for my boys and me, and we got the win with every senior playing exceptionally. Props to Cameron for scoring four goals that game too.”

Senior Collin Jeck felt that the team was able to grow immensely and learn to work well together throughout the season.

“Although we lacked the training and connection that other teams had, we were able to work well with our new coach and progress over the season,” Jeck said.

The matches against Yazoo County on Saturday ended the soccer season on a positive note. Although neither team made it to the playoffs this year, both were able to grow as a team and build bonds with each other. The seniors reminisce their time playing soccer for MSMS as the juniors grow excited for next year.