Caleb Gottry attends Chandler Preparatory Academy and is a member of the AIA’s Student SID program.

Through freshman year soccer tryouts, a big sophomore year win away against Sedona, a bus breaking down junior year in Thatcher, and a 13-0 home game win to start this season, this group of seniors have become great contributors and strong leaders for the Chandler Prep Titans. While not all of them have been there since the beginning they have formed a tight-knit group on and off the field and they will be missed. Head Coach Vilaboy says this about her seniors upcoming departure from the team:

“This is worst day and the best day of the whole year for any coach. Losing seniors is always hard. Seniors are a mainstay for any team. You always feel like you start the beginning of the next season, after you lose your seniors, rebuilding and that’s what we’ll have to do.”

Wearing the number five, defensive player, Elena Sortino was unable to play her senior year due to injuries, but she still remained with the team and even worked as a stats keeper for the Titans at games. The other four were spread across the field and many of the seniors have been versatile in their roles for the team. The Titans celebrated their seniors after the home game against the Benjamin Franklin Chargers on February 23rd. Read aloud were their responses to four questions about past memories and influences as well as words of wisdom for the team and future plans after graduation. The following are some of the responses that stood out. Titan Up.

Question: What are some of your favorite memories or moments from playing Chandler Prep soccer?

Ella Boyce (FORW, MF): My favorite memory was on our way back from our game at Thatcher when our bus broke down and we were stuck at a local grocery store for five hours. Boredom hit many new levels, but some of the highs included eating ice cream out of a gallon container, watching Sydney cry over a llama pinata, and Lauren buying tortillas for the sole purpose of making tortilla faces with them.

Lauren Kemper (D): Even though my time has been short, the culmination of all the little things has made my time so memorable: when we would make the PK shots as a team, being exhausted to the point of throwing up after gassers, both the wins and the loss, and the memories that were made with my teammates in the locker room and on bus rides!

Question: Who were some of your biggest influences at Chandler Prep as a soccer player and scholar athlete?

Amanda Stoft (FORW, MF): I want to first thank my parents who have always been perfect examples of hard-work and dedication. […] I also want to thank Olivia, who I have now had as a friend, teammate, as well as coach, and can confidently say she is well-above average in all categories. Lastly, thank you Coach Vilaboy for teaching me what true grit looks like. Coach’s passion for the game is so contagious and she leads the team with the same genuine love for all of us that she shows to her own children

Julia Saunders (MF, D): Once of my biggest influences these past four years has been my best friend and teammate Amanda Stoft. She is such an amazing soccer player and leader and works so hard in every single thing she does. I would also like to thank Coach Vilaboy for being such a great coach these past four years, my entire team for making my last year playing soccer at CPA so memorable, and my parents for always being so supportive of my crazy soccer schedule.

Question: What advice do you leave with next year’s returning players?

Elena Sortino (D): I’d say that the connections we build as a team are so so important and they really do transfer to the field in how you all trust each other and know each other. Also, that even though you might not like gassers while you do them, you’ve got to admit that they do help.

AS:. I cannot thank my teammates enough for everything they’ve taught me and I am going to miss you all so much. I know this advice is given every year, but I’m going to repeat it anyways: really enjoy the time you have with each other; time goes by so much faster than you’ll realize, and next thing you know you’ll be at senior night standing next to the same girls you stood next to at soccer tryouts in sixth grade. The time you have with each other is so precious, and the best way to honor it is by working hard for each other and giving your “all” no matter the circumstances.

Question: What are your plans for next year – post CPA?

EB: In the fall I will be attending Texas Tech, in Lubbock as an architect major. I’m excited to be a Red Raider!

LK: I am undecided on where, but in college I will further my education in the hopes of pursuing a degree in pre-med.

AS: Post CPA I don’t know where I’ll be attending college yet but I plan to major in either animation or neuroscience.

JS: I will be attending Duke University where I will be majoring in Biomedical Engineering.

ES: I plan on starting with two years at CGCC and I will finish at NAU and get my degree in early childhood education.