Soccer is very important at Hawthorne High School. The girls varsity team is full of girls dedicated and very committed to always putting in maximum effort to win. Although they are always focused and very serious about the progress of the team and how they do during the season, the girls have a family-like relationship with one another including coaches.
The girls varsity team has girls from grades 9-12. Two seniors that help lead the girls and set a good example for the rest of the team. Carly Iovino and Seja Alhomsi are two amazing seniors on the varsity team. They are always available to help any girls on the team, especially freshmen getting adjusted to next level soccer. They have what it takes to be leaders and are loved by all for their hard work and kindness they give to the younger girls and the talent they show on the field.
As someone who is on the soccer team myself, my peers and I always look up to the upperclassmen and see them as role models. The effort and leadership they take is truly unmatched. Juniors such as Mackenzie Doyle, Olivia Passero, Ava Martinello, and Lauren Cabrera work incredibly hard to help keep the team focused. Now we are going to hear a little bit about the personal thoughts on the Hawthorne High School’s varsity soccer team from none other than the incredible players on the team.
The Clarion: What has been your greatest memory during your 4 years on the girls soccer varsity team at Hawthorne High School?
Carly Iovino: Over the past four years, I have gained so many memories from the girls soccer team. One that really stands out is my freshman year when we beat Glen Rock in the semi-finals. Glen Rock is one of our biggest rivals so it was a really big game. After the final whistle blew we all dog piled on the field and ran towards the student section. That game is something I will remember forever.
The Clarion: What has been the most important thing you’ve learned during your 4 years on the girls varsity team at Hawthorne High School?
Seja Alhomsi: The most important thing I have learned from being on the girls varsity team is: don’t give up. Whether I was struggling to make a shot, messing up my passes, or riding the bench, I never gave up. Soccer is about progression, as a matter of fact any sport is, there is always room for improvement and room for error, but the second that you give up is when you give up any chance of getting better and learning. After learning this valuable lesson over the years, I have applied it to my everyday life, whether it’s school, sports, and even within friendships. This has made me a much better soccer player and an even better person.
The Clarion: What is one thing you gained throughout your time on the girls soccer team here at Hawthorne High School?
Olivia Passero: I would say that the most important thing that I’ve gained though my three years thus far on the girls’ varsity soccer team is the friendships that I’ve made; I’ve made some of my best friends for life being on this team. I couldn’t have imagined my life without this team of girls on it. When I was a freshman, the upperclassmen really took me under their wing and the bonds I created with them is something that I’ll never forget. That is something that I strive to be for the underclassmen because those relationships really stick with you. The lady Bears truly are a family on and off the field and the sisterhood that is created here is something that I will carry with me far beyond my last game.
The Clarion: What is it about the girls varsity soccer team that makes it so special and important to you?
Mackenzie Doyle: The girls’ varsity soccer team created new friendships and experiences for me coming in as a freshman. I was able to look up to the upperclassmen not only as role models, but older sisters who I could go to for anything. Keeping these bonds going while I transition to an upperclassmen is so important to me because I want the younger girls to have the same experience and comfortableness as when they play soccer.
The Clarion: What do you think makes the girls soccer varsity team at Hawthorne High School so strong and special?
Ava Martinello: I think that the girls soccer team is strong and special because we are all such good players individually, but combined with all of our amazing talent, we have such a great team we also have a good connection. We are a family.
The Clarion: What has been the milestone you have been most proud of as a sophomore on the girls varsity team and what is something you look forward to as you continue to shine on the team?
Bella Hewitt: I think for me the biggest milestone that has made me the most proud was improving since my freshman year. Also, being able to achieve things such as player of the week or even surpassing my goals from last year. I am mostly looking forward to the games ahead and meeting new people to play with and continuing to try my best every week.