![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.jpg)
![Junior Alex Alkhal pitches the ball. “[I] just let it go and keep practicing so we can focus on our goal for the next game to get better as a team,” Alkhal said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DSC_0013-1-1200x929.jpg)
On Monday, May 19, the Phoenix boys soccer team played the Woodgrove Wolverines and suffered a devastating 2-1 loss. After being up 1-0 for most of the game, the Phoenix conceded two goals in the final minutes of the match.
The game was the last of the regular season, as well as senior night, making it an important game to win. With emotions high in the stands and on the field, expectations were high for the players.
The game kicked off with a starting field of seniors, and it was filled with action from the start. Players were fighting for the ball, and many clears were made from both teams, both ending and starting attacks. After a long bout on the opponent’s half of the field, senior Brian Wright was fouled, earning the Phoenix a penalty, which was shot by senior Rishit Choudhari.“One highlight play that comes to mind is the penalty [from senior night]” Choudhari said. “I got to score it, [bringing the score to 1-0].”
The goal set the tone for most of the match and set the Phoenix crowd erupting in cheers.
After Choudhari’s lead-taking goal, the intensity of the game continued. In the last few minutes of the last half, the Wolverines capitalized on a defensive lapse, scoring one goal and then another in the following minutes, ending the game with a Phoenix loss 2-1. Despite the loss, senior defender Esteban Vazquez enjoyed the game. “I’m just proud of how the team played,” Vazquez said. “Staying until the very end as a team was very powerful.”
Though the season ended with a loss, it was mostly successful in terms of building bonds between teammates. “I’ve been really proud of the team’s ability to fight hard and push forward regardless of the unfortunate circumstance we’ve been in,” Choudhari said.
Sophomore and center midfield player Advik Baiju believes the seniors played a pivotal role in the season. “All the seniors contributed really well and were mostly the playmakers of the season in general,” Baiju said. “I feel like this was one of our better teams in a while. Even though our record didn’t reflect as much, we definitely played a lot better.”
In the future, the seniors on the team shared similar plans for their soccer careers. “I’m thinking of playing club soccer in college,” Vazquez said. “I’ll also come back and support Rock Ridge as a fan.”
Choudhari echoed Vazquez’ claim, foreseeing soccer as a part of his future. “I think I’ll probably stick to intramural and [recreational] soccer in college,” Choudhari said. “Maybe I’ll coach a youth team when I’m older.”
In terms of the future for the Rock Ridge team, Baiju believes they’re in good hands. “I mean there’s definitely some work to be done,” Baiji said. “Certain positions–like our defense–need some cleaning up to do, and we need some freshmen who could potentially be our playmakers next year, but everyone else kind of got their positions occupied.”
As the stadium cleared out in the final game of the season, the seniors walked off the pitch for the last time, leaving their legacy behind for the future of the team.
