Michael Battista and Kayla Davidson have received postseason awards due to their skills performed on the soccer field.
But there is another side that must be considered for these two seniors at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
And the United Soccer Coaches Association noticed.
Battista, a goalie on the boys’ team, and Davidson, a forward for the girls’ squad, are the winners of the Senior Excellence Award, which is a prestigious honor presented by the United Soccer Coaches Association.
The selections are produced once the student-athlete meets these requirements from the United Soccer Coaches Association:
Be a high school senior
Have made significant contributions to the team
Represent the finest attributes of a team player
Consistently projects a positive attitude
Displays team leadership
Exemplifies the standards set forth in the United Soccer Coaches Player Code of Conduct and Ethics
The criteria were met as easily as stopping a shot on goal or kicking a ball into the goal for these two Bridgewater-Raritan High School soccer players.
Those features complemented their play on the field.
Battista completed his third year as the starting goalie, serving as team captain this past fall when Bridgewater-Raritan ended with an 8-12 record.
. As a senior, he earned First Team All-Somerset County and First Team All-Delaware Division honors in the Skyland Conference, one season after receiving Second Team All-Somerset County and First Team All-Delaware Division recognition. He concluded his career with over 230 saves.
He plans to play in college but has not yet committed to a school.
Daivdison earned four varsity letters and was a captain in her senior season this fall. Twice, she received All-Delaware Division honors from the Skyland Conference.
Davidson was a force on the girls’ team at Bridgewater-Raritan that advanced to the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 state sectional final for the past two seasons. Bridgewater-Raritan finished the season with a 14-9 record.
She committed to continuing her career at The College of New Jersey.
Both players were ecstatic over their selection as Senior Excellence Award winners.
"It is an honor to receive this. This award shows the dedication and effort that is put in, not only into the team as a captain and leader, but as an all-around player,” Battista said. “Hard work in the classroom is just as crucial as this award exemplifies a student athlete. I wish the best of luck to our team next season!"
“I am really honored to receive this award. It means a lot to me to be able to have a positive impact on my team when I can and be there for my teammates,” Davidson stated. “All four years of high school on this team have taught me how to be a leader and I have my coaches and the alumni to thank for that.”