Purple streamers, balloons, and tablecloths greeted fans at Rotch Field on Saturday as the Emerson women’s soccer team celebrated senior day. Ten seniors and one graduate student were honored before the afternoon match against Clark University.

Head coach David Suvak reflected on the impact this group of 11 had on the program: graduate transfer Marissa Krenn and seniors Lauren Larking, Yoshiko Slater, Emma Brady, Lauren Carlson, Anna Swisher, Amara Schaub, Katie Wojcik, Jill Venezia, Maddie Khaw, and Alianna West-Rodrigues.

“This is a very good group of young women,” Suvak said. “I loved being around them all fall. They’re very good people.”

The Lions came into Saturday’s match fifth in the NEWMAC, tied at 4-2-2 with Springfield and WPI.  The remaining games are crucial to defining the conference’s postseason picture.

Emerson got off to a fast start, as Khaw attempted a low center shot at the 36-second mark, which Clark’s goalkeeper saved. Emerson had two more attempts from Khaw and West-Rodrigues with seven minutes elapsed, though both shots were saved. The Lions and Cougars remained active defensively, each pressuring the ball in the midfield while stifling any opportunities in the final third. The Lions took four shots in the opening half to Clark’s three, though the score remained 0-0 at the half.

Emerson broke through in the second half, as West-Rodrigues found Khaw for a goal—her second of the season—at the 56:37 mark, which sent the crowd of Emerson parents and supporters to their feet. Aiming to capitalize on that momentum, the Lions attempted three more shots in the next three minutes, all of which missed the mark.

Clark and Emerson continued to trade shot attempts until the Cougars tied the game off a shot from the right side in the 78th minute. Emerson, maintaining a sense of urgency, rattled off two attempts from Khaw and one from West-Rodrigues in the 82nd minute, though none found the back of the net. The Lions had a golden opportunity four minutes later, finding the back of the net after a corner kick before it was negated and ruled offsides. Khaw’s next attempt in the 87th minute—her fourth shot on goal in six attempts—barely missed the net. The Cougars earned a corner kick as the clock ticked to the final seconds.

Six, five, four, three … header, good, ball game.

Clark players and fans erupted the second the go-ahead goal was scored. As the clock reached zeros, the Lions were stunned on senior day, while the Cougars—after six losses and two ties—celebrated their first NEWMAC win of the season.

Emerson’s 12 shots in the second half gave them 16 for the game—seven of which were on goal. Clark tallied seven shots in the contest, with four being on goal. Khaw and Bezdek led the Lions in attempts with six and five, respectively, while senior goalkeeper Amara Schaub recorded two saves for the team.

“I think we played well at times and we created opportunities, which we didn’t convert into goals,” Suvak said. “But I think that really is the difference right there. If we can convert those into goals, we can come out successful in this match. [It was a] very opportunistic win by Clark [Saturday], but look, they put it in the back of the net. And they didn’t give up all the way to the end.”

Saturday’s loss for Emerson—combined with a 2-1 win for Springfield and a 2-0 loss for WPI—means the job is not finished for Emerson and their playoff hopes. The Lions will face WPI at Rotch Field on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.

“We were pushing to win today, and the girls were upset that we didn’t come out and be successful,” Suvak said. “So now, we’re gonna work against WPI.”

“That’s part of the reason today’s loss was such a bummer, because if we had gotten the win, that would have clinched a playoff spot,” Khaw said. “Now, we’re just gonna have to fight a little harder the next game to … get ourselves in a playoff position.”

West-Rodrigues said the key as the season winds down is, “Just giving it our all.”

“We have nothing to lose, and overall, I think just playing with joy and happiness [is key],” she added. “That’s the best thing we could do, and when we do play with those two things, we’re the best team we could be.”

Khaw and West-Rodrigues also reflected on what Emerson soccer has meant to them these last four years.

“It’s meant a lot,” Khaw said. “It was really emotional today before the game with all of our families and everything the rest of the team did for all the seniors, cause there’s a lot of us. It’s been really great. I wish we could have capped it off with a win today, but it’s been just the best experience.”

“Being on this team is one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had as a soccer player,” West-Rodriges said. “I’ve never been on a soccer team like Emerson’s soccer team. Everyone is so welcoming, loving [and] caring. And I think the reason we’re so strong on the field is because we’re strong together off the field.”

Many families of the class of 2024 flew in for Saturday’s game, including members of West-Rodrigues’s family, who came all the way from Hawaii.

“It means everything to me,” West-Rodriges said. “I’m so far away from home, so sometimes it is really hard not being with my family. But, luckily, I have created a family here with my soccer team. We’re all very close and they mean so much to me. But to have my soccer team and the people I love and care about most come here, it was just the best thing for me.”

The gratitude expressed by Khaw, West-Rodrigues and the rest of the women’s soccer seniors is not lost on Suvak.

“This group is…incredibly thankful to be part of a soccer program, this soccer program, and be representing Emerson,” Suvak said. “They are very genuine in the way they love each other and this soccer program. It’s really been a pleasure to have them in this program and be a part of this for four years.”