Kicking the field goodbye on senior night.

On Thursday, September 29, the boy’s varsity soccer team showcased their senior night for five seniors: striker Matthew Childress, midfielder Colin Shepherd, center defender Cooper Mahoney, defensive center back Nate Drake, and midfielder Jarrett O’Neill.

The Bullitt East Chargers faced off against Nelson County High School, but unfortunately fell short to the Cardinals 2-0. The team had some very good scoring opportunities, including a few attempts from Drake and Shepherd, but all were saved by the goalie. This loss made the team’s overall record 5-7-3; meaning five wins, seven losses, and three ties.

The senior night festivities began at half time when the score was 1-0. Each senior received a poster with themselves on it. When their name was called, the players would cut through the poster and go through it.

Senior night wasn’t just special to players, it had a big impact on the families and coaches too. “[Favorite part about senior night] Being able to spend it with my friends and family. It was something I will never forget,” said Mahoney, who has been playing soccer since the age of four and at Bullitt East all four years. Mahoney’s dad, Steve is in charge of all the social media for boy’s and girl’s soccer. He pre-recorded the senior night acknowledgements in order to be on the field with his son to celebrate the special moment.

The seniors all agree that what they will miss the most about being on the team is just hanging out with each other and having a fun time. “Even games that we lose is still a fun experience because I’ve made really close relationships with people on the team and they’re kind of like my family now,” said Childress, who has been on the team for three years.

“Going to tournaments and being able to hang out with all the guys,” is what Shepherd, who has been playing soccer for nine years and at Bullitt East for four years, said is his favorite part about soccer.

Being a student athlete has taught the players lessons in life. They learned many things over the years just by playing the sport they love to play. “I would say that if you want to achieve greatness, you got to work hard and get down-and-dirty to get there,” said Drake, who has been playing soccer since he was five years old and been on the Bullitt East team for four years.

“A lesson I would tell is to not take your time at Bullitt East for granted. The five years I have been here have flown by,” said O’Neill who has been playing soccer for 12 years and been on the Bullitt East team for five years.

As the 2016 senior season comes to a close, the five seniors look to represent Charger Nation in their future. Childress plans to go to the University of Louisville and major in business, Shepherd wants to go to UL, Mahoney looks to major in business at UL also, Drake plans on going into the US Marines, and O’Neill seeks going into the US Navy.