STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - The Lady Barons took to the field for their final game of the regular season ready to take on La Roche College but sad to play a final game for Franciscan's seven graduating seniors.  The 2-1 win over LaRoche was satisfying, but bittersweet. 

"We started every senior," Head Coach Clare McBane said. "These seniors are not replaceable.  Even if we get players just as talented, these girls paved the way of Franciscan soccer, and it was their dedication, especially the girls who played for four years, that have made the program what it is." 

Seniors Jordan Byerly, Julia Cocozza and Ashley Ruttencutter, the powerhouse offense, performed the usual magic uptop.  Byerly, who scored a hat trick during the previous game against D'Youville College, scored her final regular season goal off a cross from junior Hannah Cooke.

"Jordan is every coach's dream," McBane said.  "She works so hard, she is so dedicated and she's never satisfied and that is phenomenal in any athlete. For her to get a goal today is terrific.  I'm really proud of her and I'm really happy she could end her season that way." 

Byerly was joined on the field by keeper Mallorie Garthwaite for the first time this season, leaving senior and backup keeper Michelle Volk to guard the net.  McBane made the switch to give Volk a chance to start in goal as well ensure Garthwaite got time on the field. 

"Michelle is a very talented goal keeper," McBane said.  "It was definitely due her to start.  She spent four years with this team, has been through a lot and shows up every day to practice with a smile on her face.  I trust her in the net."  

Not only did Volk successfully shut down La Roche's shots, Garthwaite made a difference on the field. 

"Malorie is extremely talented on the field," McBane said.  "She is good enough of an athlete and good enough of a soccer player that when she's not the starting goal keeper she would be a starting field player."

Seniors Maura Kennedy and Sarah Pettinger also joined their fellow classmen on the field for the last game of both their first and senior season of Franciscan soccer.  

"No matter what, whether the game counts for our standings or not, we play the game to the best of our ability," McBane said.  "We could be seated first and this could be the last team and it could have meant nothing and I would still expect and the girls would still expect of themselves that they would play a worthy, beautiful game." 

Kennedy and Pettinger delivered on McBane's expectations. 

Despite the emotions of senior day, the team did not allow pending goodbyes to impede their play.  The Lady Barons maintained their high standard of excellence in soccer and responded to La Roche's challenging formation with switches and strategy.

"La Roche packed in the center of the field and eliminated our option to attack in the center," McBane said.  "Anytime we started to build our attack in the center, they stabbed almost to the half with their offsides trap and it worked very successfully.  Some of the changes that we made were more dribbling one-to-one rather than quick passing and much more attacking down the flanks rather than down the center because that is where they left us a space. That is how we got both goals." 

McBane added that the fact that the Lady Barons will get another chance to compete together for the AMCC Championship title helped them to maintain composure on the field.

"We are honoring the end of their senior year, but their senior year is not over," McBane said. "That kept us together and kept us laughing and smiling."

 With the close of the regular season, the Lady Barons are looking forward to hosting the conference semi-final match on November 5 at 2pm.