Nathan Zakrzewski
Senior Nick Kestian is recognized on Senior night at Hamilton Southeastern High School on September 26, 2025.
At the final whistle Tuesday night, the scoreboard read 0-0, but for Hamilton Southeastern boys soccer, senior night was about more than the result. It was a chance to celebrate a class of players who have poured years of effort into the program and continue to leave their mark as the season pushes forward.
For Senior Gavin Boyle, the lessons extend far beyond the field. “The HSE soccer program has affected me as a person by teaching me how to work hard and not give up for what I want,” Boyle said.
Unlike Boyle, Senior Alfie Pratt, had a different message on that night. Despite setbacks during his sophomore and junior years, Pratt’s resilience and determination earned him a spot on the team his senior year. “Making it my senior year kind of showed my character,” Pratt said. “Being on varsity has really made me appreciate the years I didn’t get, because I’m trying to fit all things into one year.” Beyond achieving varsity, Pratt’s bond with teammates has been the most rewarding part. “Some of these kids, I never thought I’d be best friends with, and now I get to see them every day.” His advice to incoming players, “Make yourself known, but not as a bad influence. Step up, help the coaches, and go into every practice knowing what you want to get out of it. When you excel, that’s when you make a name for yourself.”
On the field, the Royals faced Zionsville in a tough and heavy defensive match. Both teams created chances, but strong backlines and big saves kept the game scoreless. Despite the game ending without a winner, the energy on the sideline and in the stands reflected how impactful the seniors are to the program.
“The most impactful thing I’ve learned from this year’s seniors is to not take anything for granted,” Junior Cooper Perez shared. “Every one of the seniors had some positive impact on me in some sort of way this year, and I’m grateful.”