LAKELAND – Half the regular season still remains for Polk State Soccer, but for eight players, Saturday will be a time for reflection.

The program will celebrate Sophomore Day during its match with Millenia Atlantic University. The eight outgoing sophomores will be recognized.

"I feel really blessed to have had terrific kids over these last two years," Head Coach Dee Shivraman said. "The amount of class they've brought to the program has been impactful."

This year's sophomore class includes five second-year players and three transfers. Cheyanne Pitts, Dylan Fernandez, Madison Caustic, and Grayce Kidwell were all local high school standouts before arriving at Polk State.

"After high school, I didn't feel like I was ready to give up soccer yet," reflected Fernandez, an All-Region 8 honorable mention selection last season. "It's always been a mental outlet for me. I'm a homebody, so I love being home. Having my parents at every game has been fun."

During her time at Polk State, Fernandez has been able to continue to play for her Auburndale High School coach – Polk State Assistant Coach Tawanda Kaseke. Caustic and Kidwell were also reunited with their high school coach, Jacob Sweeney, another Polk State assistant and the head coach at McKeel Academy in Lakeland.

"We've all clicked," Kidwell said. "We're family at this point. This was a comfortable place for me. I've worked with Coach Sweeney since high school. He's really pushed me to be better. He's one of the main reasons I came here."

The lone returning sophomore who isn't from the area is midfielder Anisa Lahbiki. A native of Michigan, Lahbiki has shined on the pitch and in the classroom at Polk State. For the 2023-24 Academic Year, she was recognized as an NJCAA All-Academic selection with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

"This place taught me how to be an adult," Lahbiki said. "I was so motivated to do well and having a great support system here certainly helped. I've spent hours studying in the locker room. It didn't feel as hard because I was enjoying the process. This program isn't just about soccer – my coaches and teammates are proud of me when I get a good grade on a test. I stressed myself out sometimes about keeping my grades up, but practicing and being around my teammates, who are like friends and family, was a stress reliever."

After spending her freshman year at Furman University, an NCAA Division I program in South Carolina, the transfer to Polk State has been a homecoming for Noemi Casique. An All-Polk County selection at Ridge Community High School in Davenport, Casique has scored five goals in her last three matches and enters Sophomore Day as the team's leading scorer.

"I feel like this was one of the best decisions I could have made," Casique said. "I came home and regained some of the confidence I lost. When I went to Furman, I took my opportunity for granted. I've learned not to take anything for granted. I've worked harder than ever before to prove myself. Having coaches and players who believe in me makes me want to be better."

For defender Sydney Hoiler, her path has been similar. A graduate of Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, Hoiler spent her freshman year at Bluefield State University, an NCAA Division II program in West Virginia.

"I felt like Polk State gave me a second chance," she said. "I didn't think I'd play soccer again after leaving my last school. It's a family here. Coach Dee is so inclusive and supports everyone."

A native of Brazil, Maria Eduarda spent her first season away from home at Eastern Arizona College. Upon arriving at Polk State, she said the bond with her coaches and teammates was immediate.

"Coming to the U.S. was hard," Eduarda explained. "Coming to Polk State was the best experience of my life. They opened their arms to me and supported me from the start. The girls immediately took me in and made this a home for me."

Fond memories

When their time is over, many of Polk State's sophomores will remember their teammates the most.

"I had so much fun and made lifelong friends along the way," said Caustic, an All-Region 8 performer in 2023. "I'll always remember our overnight trips to Tennessee and Miami. It was a bonding experience outside of soccer. For our international players, it was a chance to see new places."

The sophomores also noted the profound impact of the coaching staff. Shivraman and Co. often refer to the program as a family. The team motto over Shivraman's first two years has been "Our Family vs. Their Team."

"The experience I've had is so different than anything I could have imagined," Lahbiki explained. "My coaches have allowed me to grow and develop as a person, player, and as a teammate. They've presented me with different roles, including being a captain, that have allowed me to develop in different ways. I'm not going to forget that."

"Coaches taught us lessons beyond soccer," Caustic added. "I've matured a lot. I have a lot more confidence in myself. Coach Sweeney taught us in high school that soccer wasn't everything and really stressed the importance of academics. I carried that over to college."

Shivraman noted that many were recruited by his predecessor Jess Belli, but all have bought in. Last season, Polk State overcame a slew of injuries to complete a fourth straight winning season.

"With this group, the word resiliency comes to mind," Shivraman said. "They had to adapt really quickly. We've had some tough breaks along the way, but mentally, they're just so tough."

Looking ahead

Under Shivraman, Polk State has prided itself in moving players on to four-year schools, but also in helping them find their passion in life. Fernandez, Pitts, and Hoiler don't plan on playing collegiately beyond this year.

"My teammates have always supported me," Pitts said. "I've struggled with injuries and my coaches have been there for me with whatever I needed."

Hoiler plans to enroll in Polk State's Nursing Program and remain around the soccer team. Pitts will transfer to the University of Central Florida with the goal of ultimately working in aerospace engineering. Fernandez is set to graduate with her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in May and may continue her education with the hope of being an agriculture teacher and Future Farmers of America facilitator.

"Our coaches were always encouraging and pushed us hard to do our best," Fernandez noted. "They encourage us in life stuff and academics as well. They care about you as a person – not just a player. Over the past two years, I've developed more than ever before. I'm ready for adulthood. This is the best group of people I've ever been around."

As other sophomores wait to see what lies ahead, many offered advice to their younger teammates and future Polk State players.

"Don't take it for granted," Casique urged. "A lot of people don't get this opportunity. You have to be grateful."

"Focus in school, relax when you can, enjoy your time here, but give it your all," Lahbiki said. "Make sure you're doing whatever you can to get better. This place really allows you to grow. The professors and College staff play an important role. I'm excited for what's next. Polk State has set a high standard."

While players offered words of advice and encouragement to those who will come after them, Shivraman did likewise for his departing sophomores.

"We tell them that if they love the game to stay involved in some coaching or teaching capacity when their playing days are over," Shivraman said. "We also want them to take what they've learned from their soccer journey and apply it to their lives. This group has a lot of grit and I hope they use that for whatever is next."