West Lafayette Jr-Sr High School

For West Lafayette girls soccer, winning is just part of the culture. Five straight sectional sectionals, four straight regional final appearances, the list of accomplishments of this program is long and storied one. With tonight’s 1-2 loss to Mishawaka Marian in the regional final match, another chapter ends as we see the end of seniors Anna Lasater, Adrianne Tolen, Sarah Werth, Lauren Pedley, Vivian Huston, and Dani Rawles’ high school soccer careers. While the last time walking off the pitch for this group didn’t end with a state title like they had hoped for, this senior class departs having made a permanent mark on West Lafayette Girls Soccer history. Accumulating a career record of 50-15-5, winning four sectional titles, and advancing to the regional final four times, the 2023 seniors will walk away from high school soccer as one of those most successful classes to play red devil soccer. During a freshman season shortened by two COVID-19 quarantines and a sophomore season that saw West Lafayette try to replace 10 graduated seniors, an appearance in the regional final felt like a massive victory. In 2022, the loss to Mishawaka Marian left a sour taste in the mouths of the Red Devils, with a regional final appearance no longer being enough. Senior captain Anna Lasater notes, “The biggest thing that sets this team apart is our belief in each other.” Walking onto the field and for 80 minutes on Saturday, belief existed with the RDP faithful. From the opening whistle to West Side’s goal with just 10 seconds to play, the Red Devils never backed down, doing everything in their power to walk away on the right side of the result. Unfortunately for West Lafayette though, the beautiful game can also be a cruel one. Mishawaka Marian scored an early goal to start the second half, but West Side continued to press on. Minutes after an injury stoppage with 30 minutes to play, Marian would earn a corner kick that would be played into the box for the second goal. West Lafayette goalkeeper Adrianne Tolen was shoved from behind by a Marian player which allowed for the goal to be scored. Despite protest from the Red Devil captains, keeper, and bench, no foul was called and the goal stood. Having already battled back from and 0-2 score to earn a result earlier this season at Harrison, the Red Devil fight never died. With under a minute to play, West Lafayette finally found the back of the net when Anna Lasater slotted away a free kick from just outside the 18. With the loss, the incredible West Lafayette run comes to an end. As they walk off the pitch for the last time, we say good bye to a senior class that scored over 130 goals and 59 assists. Midfielder Sarah Werth ends her career as a member of the 100 point club, finishing her career with 39 goals, 25 assists, and 103 points. Forward Lauren Pedley finished her career with 93 points, fellow forward Vivian Huston recorded 78 career points. After spending three seasons anchoring the defense, Anna Lasater moved into the midfield and finished her career with 46 points. Defender Dani Rawles returned to the pitch after a few years of playing volleyball and solidly cemented herself as one of the best defenders in the state. Goalkeeper Adrianne Tolen walks away from West Lafayette soccer with 38 career shutouts, a career goals allowed average of 0.7, and almost 300 career saves. Beyond the impact this class made on the field, the 2023 seniors were committed to the West Lafayette soccer program, inspiring as leaders, teammates, and people.