High school legends, state champions and star athletes were finally back on their home turf for a soccer game that will go down in Highland Park girls soccer history. The annual alumni game took place on January 2nd, and it was no ordinary alumni game. It was the first year that the whole 2012 state championship team was eligible to participate, and they got their whole starting 11 to come back to play. After a hard fought 90 minute game, the alumni came out on top with a 3-0 victory.

While the loss was hard for the current varsity team to swallow, they still had a good time playing with old teammates and bonding with new ones.

“It was fun getting to play against old teammates,” sophomore Jillian Deaver said. “It’s a very competitive game because a lot of the alumni girls play on college teams, so they’re really good. The game helps the team bond right before the season starts.”

The game placed sisters across from each other and possibly future sorority sisters against each other.

“I really enjoyed playing the alumni game this year because I got to compete against my sister who graduated last year,” senior Ashleigh Pacewicz said. “It was really a challenge having to defend and play against the college players, because they play at top college programs that train them to be the best. Even though we lost, it was still a lot of fun and a good bonding experience for our team to have before we begin our tough season.”

Now, it’s the seniors chance to begin to prepare to join the alumni team. Next year’s varsity squad will have to deal with defending returning players like Savanna Jones, Haley Vice, and Maddi Thayer – a combination that is sure to make next year even more challenging and memorable than this one.