Team Banquet

The Riverview High School 2024-25 ladies soccer team held their year-end banquet at the Winthrop Village Amenity Center tonight, wrapping up another year of soccer - Jayden's last! Although there wasn't a lot of pomp and circumstance for this event, Coach Samantha managed to bring along some of her traditions from her past teams and experiences, including the paper plate awards as well as the naming of the junior captains for next season. Sam also announced her return next year, despite Jay graduating and her original intention for this to be a one-year activity. I think she really found her happy place, being back on the field teaching these girls! Anyway, please enjoy the photographs!

I do want to take a moment to talk about this season. I was very impressed with the progress that the team made from the opening game to the final game - it was like night and day. I am certain that was in large part due to Sam's influence and guidance to the team. I learned tonight that what started as a joke - Jay asking Sam to coach her - turned into a reality, and one that Sam enjoyed so much that she announced tonight that she will be returning next season! Regardless of this season, and what happened on the field, it was what happened off the field between them that makes me truly proud. The two of them became close, like I haven't seen in a long time, and it was heartwarming to see. I truly am blessed with two of the greatest daughters a father could ask for! I love you both Sam and Jay!

2024-25 Riverview High School Lady Sharks Girls Soccer Banquet
		Jayden and four of her fellow Lady Sharks teammates in front of everyone in attendance to hand out the paper plate awards.
		Ally handing out her assigned awards.
		Carysse, one of the team captains, handing out her paper plate awards.
		Coach Samantha listening to the girls talk as they give out their plates.
		Team captain Sanai talking as she hands out her paper plate awards.
		Jay showing off the award that she received, the "Go with the Flow" award!
		Sanai, Jay, and Avery talking.
		Jayden laughing while talking with Ally, Carysse, Sanai, and Avery.
		Coach Samantha showing off her paper plate award - Most Likely to Become the USWNT Head Coach.
		Avery, Jay, and Ally posing for a picture.
		A look at the team (and some of the parents and coaches) enjoying their dinner.
		Coach Sam addressing the assembled group.
		Although Coach Fearon spoke about each of the girls on the team, it was left to Sam to give the speech about Jay...
		...and it was clear during her speech just how proud she is of Jayden, and just how much the two of them love each other.
		They couldn't keep from crying during the speech (neither could I honestly - I am so proud of each of them, and am unbelievably blessed to have them as daughters... two of the four greatest things to ever happen to me!).
		Jayden and Samantha embracing each other...
		...and trying to make light of the emotional moment.
		Sam announcing her return as coach to the team, as they recite her three primary focus areas - first touches, strong passes and switching the ball.
		Coach Sam and Coach Fearon receiving their gifts from the team.
		The coaches and the seniors - with Jayden in the center of the arch, and Coach Samantha to the right.
		A couple of pictures of the entire team...

		Coach Fearon, Jayden, and Coach Samantha.
		Riley holding up her paper plate award that she received from Jayden...

		Riley and Jay together.
		Jayden posing for a photo with next years team captains, Martina and Riley.

2024-25 Riverview High School Lady Sharks Girls Soccer Banquet

Jayden and four of her fellow Lady Sharks teammates in front of everyone in attendance to hand out the paper plate awards.

Ally handing out her assigned awards.

Carysse, one of the team captains, handing out her paper plate awards.

Coach Samantha listening to the girls talk as they give out their plates.

Team captain Sanai talking as she hands out her paper plate awards.

Jay showing off the award that she received, the "Go with the Flow" award!

Sanai, Jay, and Avery talking.

Jayden laughing while talking with Ally, Carysse, Sanai, and Avery.

Coach Samantha showing off her paper plate award - Most Likely to Become the USWNT Head Coach.

Avery, Jay, and Ally posing for a picture.

A look at the team (and some of the parents and coaches) enjoying their dinner.

Coach Sam addressing the assembled group.

Although Coach Fearon spoke about each of the girls on the team, it was left to Sam to give the speech about Jay...

...and it was clear during her speech just how proud she is of Jayden, and just how much the two of them love each other.

They couldn't keep from crying during the speech (neither could I honestly - I am so proud of each of them, and am unbelievably blessed to have them as daughters... two of the four greatest things to ever happen to me!).

Jayden and Samantha embracing each other...

...and trying to make light of the emotional moment.

Sam announcing her return as coach to the team, as they recite her three primary focus areas - first touches, strong passes and switching the ball.

Coach Sam and Coach Fearon receiving their gifts from the team.

The coaches and the seniors - with Jayden in the center of the arch, and Coach Samantha to the right.

A couple of pictures of the entire team...

Coach Fearon, Jayden, and Coach Samantha.

Riley holding up her paper plate award that she received from Jayden...

Riley and Jay together.

Jayden posing for a photo with next years team captains, Martina and Riley.