Niwot soccer closes season with Senior Night

The Niwot girls soccer team closed out its 2025 season with a mix of celebration and reflection, capped off by a 3-0 home loss to Mead High School on Thursday, May 1. Although the result was not what the Cougars hoped for on Senior Night, the evening was a meaningful send-off for five dedicated seniors.

Just two days earlier, Niwot secured its most decisive victory in weeks with a 3-1 road win over Frederick High School. Sophomore Diya Mehta led the charge with two goals, while freshman Tori Biffle added one of her own. Assists came from senior Tori Villavicencio, sophomore Hannah Wurth, and freshman Sonya Holmes.

That win marked Niwot's first since their historic April 10 upset over Silver Creek High School, a program the Cougars had not beaten since 2017. For many players, especially the seniors, that victory will go down as one of the season's highlights. "Beating Silver Creek was incredible," senior Madison Ackerman said. "We worked our butts off and got to be part of a legacy." Senior Peyton Rhodes echoed her sentiment.

Thursday's game against the Mead Mavericks was full of emotion, even as Niwot struggled to find the back of the net. Late attacks from Villavicencio and Rylie Fletemeyer got the home crowd excited, but the Cougars were ultimately shut out.

For seniors Villavicencio, Ackerman, Rhodes, Paloma Delgado, and Greta Stauch, the game marked the end of their high school soccer careers.

Villavicencio recalled her first varsity goal against Fort Morgan High School as a freshman as her most memorable moment in a Cougar jersey. More than anything, she said she will miss her teammates, carpools, bus rides, and celebrating their wins. Delgado shared a similar feeling, remembering how welcomed she felt as a freshman and how much she cherished the atmosphere of celebration and support.

Rhodes, too, pointed to the team's culture as what she will miss most. "Cheering on my teammates, the bus rides, team dinners, and the pride of getting to play for my school," she said. Ackerman agreed.

Stauch looked back on a hard-fought game during her junior year as a favorite memory. "My most memorable moment was defending against Thompson Valley High School for a tie junior year," she said. "And I'll miss playing every day, especially with teammates who are so focused on team growth and becoming stronger athletes."

Head Coach Stephen Dimit credited the seniors for helping shape that culture. "I will miss their energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to our program," he said. While the scoreboard did not always tilt in Niwot's favor, the impact of the Class of 2025 was never measured in goals or wins alone.

The Cougars wrapped up the season with a 5-9-1 overall record. They navigated a challenging new league with flashes of offensive brilliance from both seasoned leaders and up-and-coming talent. With contributions from underclassmen such as Biffle, Mehta, Wurth, Sonya Holmes, Janie Holmes, and Ava Inguagiato, the foundation is solid for what is to come.