Screaming Eagles shine on Senior night

REARDAN – The Screaming Eagles' soccer team played Newport in their last home game of the season, Thursday, Oct. 24. On a night that honored seniors Mackenzie Bjornberg, Luci Smith, Elise Cox, Reagan Board, Noelle Raczykowski and Ally Burtenshaw, the Screaming Eagles shut out the Grizzlies 5-0.

Prior to the game, senior players were presented with flowers and balloons and posed for pictures with their families. After sharing smiles and shedding tears, the players took to the pitch.

Two seniors took center stage six minutes into the contest when Raczykowski, on a free kick from the left side of the field, launched a 35 yard rocket to Bjornberg, who headed the ball into the net for the game's first score.

With 14:00 left in the first half, Raczykowski scored a goal of her own to make the score 2-0, which remained the score until halftime.

Minutes into the second half, Raczykowski struck again.

She drilled a short-range shot into the corner of the net to make the score 3-0.

Six minutes later Raczykowski earned a "hat trick" with her third goal of the game on a looping shot over the goalie from long range. With 32:00 left, Reardan extended its lead to 4-0.

Not yet finished, Raczykowski scored her last career goal on Joe Johnson Field with a high arcing shot over the goalie from 35 yards out, giving her four goals and one assist for the game.

Raczykowski acknowledged that her long-distance scoring was not the norm.

"I guess I made some long goals tonight," she said. "They (Newport) were packing the box, so I decided to start hitting it from outside."

Raczykowski's last home game was bittersweet.

"I was sad to play my last game here, but I am excited about the future," she said. "My senior teammates are my best friends. I couldn't ask for better ones. I love them so much."

Bjornberg too had mixed feelings after the game.

"I was a little sad tonight but was happy to play with the girls one last time on our home turf," she said. "I am pleased with how we played tonight. We came out with a win and came out very strong. Everyone of these girls played super hard," she said. "I'm glad I could play one more game with all of my best friends."

"This was the perfect way to end a Senior Night," Reardan head coach Richard Breedlove said. "It was wonderful to see Mackenzie score on a header from Noelle," he said. "To see Mackenzie and Noelle end their career like this was awesome."

Breedlove was honored to have coached the seniors on his team.

"They are an amazing group of girls," he said. "It will be hard not having them next year."

The win improved the Screaming Eagles' record to 7-5 on the season.

They finish the season with games at Northwest Christian Tuesday, Oct. 28, and Upper Columbia Academy Thursday, Oct. 31.