The field hockey team honored its five seniors before Saturday’s home game against Missouri State at Murphy-Mellis Field.

The five seniors — forward Anna McComb, midfielder Charlotte Muller, back Caitlin MacKenzie, forward Libby Lame and goalkeeper Kara Copeland — were recognized before the 4-1 victory, the girls’ final regular-season home game at Kent State.

Each senior was recognized individually when the starting line-ups were announced. Each player walked out with friends and family, accepted a bouquet of flowers and joined the rest of the team.

Before the game, the underclassmen honored the seniors.

“We decorated their lockers, and each girl got a bag of goodies,” freshman forward Nicole Leach said. “It was fun. We decorated the field and it was just a good day.”

“It was very important to win for the seniors today,” Leach said. “Of course they wanted to win — they deserved it.”

Signs honoring each of the five girls were taped to the fences behind the goals.

“They’re a really special group of girls who want to be champions,” coach Kathleen Schanne said. “They have enjoyed their time here, and I’m really proud of them.”

The seniors said it was great to win together and they loved the pregame festivities.

“Our underclassmen did an amazing job,” McComb said. “They had the locker room decorated, they had presents and all of our parents were here. It really makes us feel so loved and it is so special.”

-— Jeff Russ