The boys soccer team ended its season on Thursday Oct. 11 but they didn’t go down without a fight. Losing to East Ridge by only one goal, the soccer boys kept their fans on the edge of their seats.

The Ponies, coached by Jake Smothers and Mike Musson had a strong season, ending with a 12-3-3 record. This was Coach Smother’s first season with the Ponies. According to Stillwater Gazette’s 11, issue by Stuart Groskreutz, Coach Smothers commented on the loss saying, “What you want to make sure is that when the season is over if you’re one of the teams that hasn’t won one of those games, that you can look at each other and know you did everything you could to do your best. I certainly feel the boys feel that way.”

The first season with their new coach was a successful one, and shows promise for the Ponies in upcoming seasons.

Junior Sam Keran said, “Coach Smothers was a great a coach this year. I really think our team’s initial success started because of him. Jake fit right into the program almost immediately after our first tryout. Most of my teammates (including me) had worked with Jake through club soccer. So most of us were already familiar with him as a person and a coach, which I thought helped.”

 The Ponies will lose eight seniors, one of them being their goalkeeper Erik Meitz. He was in the net for ten of the team’s 11 shutouts. Some of the seniors hope to play soccer at the collegiate level but have not firmed up their plans on what schools they will be attending. Some of them do not plan on playing college soccer.

Senior Erik Metiz said, “I plan to focus on school.”

 With eight seniors leaving this means that the underclassmen will have to step up next year and fill their positions if they want to be as successful as they were this season.

 “All the seniors were real role models, especially the captains. They all had different ways of contributing to the team and I respect them for the work they put into this sport.” Said junior Sam Robinson.

 The boys had a great season, losing only three games. They made memories that they will carry with them long after their high school careers.

 “I think my personal best memory was when I accidentally tore up all the grass.” said senior Erik Meitz.

Sophomore Jake Maroney said, “The atmosphere of the team was very positive it was a great motivator for me and the other underclassmen, having a chance to play with the seniors was what made this year so enjoyable because they are all great players who loved the game.”

Stillwater wishes the seniors all the best and our looking forward to seeing the underclassmen on the field next year.