As the season comes to a close with playoffs on the horizon the Fresno Christian girl’s soccer team is currently undefeated. Last year’s CIF Valley champions look to repeat the journey. Six seniors will be recognized on Feb. 3 before their last home league game.  Kirra Obawald, Keely Friesen, Jazmine Davidson, Brandy Penberthy, Elise Bessey, and Isabelle Estes will be honored alongside their families and peers. 

Captain Keely Friesen has been playing soccer for 11 years, starting her career at Cedar Wood Elementary. Advancing her skills, she joined Crossfire’s rec. team, a local club. However, Friesen does not plan to play in a collegiate league but join an adult league later in life for the fun and love of the game. 

“Soccer is a freeing place for me,” Friesen said. “It is an activity I love to do to clear my mind. It has taught me to stick with things I love and not to give up when things get hard.” 

Captain Kirra Obwald is finishing her fourth year on varsity. She has also spent years in soccer clubs throughout her high school career. Obwald prepares to continue playing soccer in a collegiate league, with her coaches helping her to do her best.

 “Under coaches I respect and around friends I love,” Obwald said, “I have learned discipline, integrity, accountability, encouragement, courage, sacrifice, confidence, and the fact that how we do anything is how we do everything.”

Brandy Penberthy moves into her third year on the FC girl’s soccer as a defensive player.

Penberthy does not plan on continuing the sport during her college years. However, soccer has given her new friends and great memories. 

“I play the sport for the fun of the game,” Penberthy said, “and to hang out with my friends”

Elise Bessey, the starting goalie for the FC girl’s soccer team, has played for the past four years. With no plans to play at a college level, Bessey wants to partake in intramural soccer at GCU where she will be attending. Bessey’s role as a goalie required her to take dangerous risks to prevent conceding a goal. 

Bessey said “I have learned that not everyone is inclusive and that you can never give up no matter what people say about you”

Jazmine Davidson started playing soccer this year with no past experience on the field. Along with others on her team, Davidson plays soccer for the fun of the game. 

“This season taught me patience in not knowing what I’m doing and learning new things,” Davidson stated

Isabelle Estes (not pictured) plays soccer as well as girl’s varsity basketball. She does not see herself playing in a collegiate league but she plans to switch her skills to rugby. Soccer showed her how important teamwork can be and how encouraging it is. During this World Cup, she enjoyed watching her favorite.

Estes said “My favorite soccer player is Lionel Messi. My favorite team is whatever team Messi plays for.”

Senior night begins on the FC field at 6:30 p.m. with the presentation honoring players at 6:45 p.m. The Eagles take on the Parlier Panthers.

To read more from The Feather visit Column: Finishing Strong or Moving Forward: God in the unexpected