Last Regular Season Game Marks Memories Made for Matawan Seniors

It’s often said that high school is the fastest four years of your life.

Those in attendance at Matawan Regional High School’s girls’ soccer game on Friday night would likely agree.

Friday marked the team’s annual senior night, during which the upperclassmen take the field for their final regular season home game. This year’s edition featured seven seniors, each of whom played a pivotal role in making their class the most successful girls’ soccer team in school history. The seniors made state playoff appearances in three of their four seasons at Matawan Regional.

While Friday night’s game wasn’t the last that the seven seniors will play in the maroon and white of Matawan’s soccer uniforms, it was certainly a memorable one with a dramatic 2-1 finish over the Monmouth Regional Falcons.

“I thought we played well,” said Matawan Head Coach Ken McCabe. “I thought we started off well, especially in the first half, and even into the second half. We controlled most of the play. It was a gutsy performance on their part. It was nice to see the seniors go out and get the win. It was really nice for them.”

Though the Huskies maintained possession for the better part of the first half against the Falcons, the two teams entered the second half stuck at a 0-0 stalemate. It wasn’t until Matawan senior Lisa Pavon put in the game’s first goal at the 63-minute mark that either team had a lead.

The lead didn’t last long, however, as Monmouth Regional retaliated with a goal less than six minutes later. After almost two full overtimes, another Matawan senior made her presence felt. At the 98-minute mark, senior Rebecca Lavenger recorded a goal off a missed shot attempt giving the Huskies the 2-1 victory on senior night.

“Words are hard to come by right now,” said McCabe of his seniors after the victory. “Not even on the soccer field, but just in general, this is a great, great bunch of kids. This is a group of girls who give their heart and soul for our program and our team.”

Fortunately for the Huskies, they have the potential to provide McCabe with even more joy before the season comes to an end. Friday also marked the cut-off for teams to qualify for the state playoffs and games are scheduled to begin Nov. 1.