By Lara Hodroj

(Photo courtesy of Stadium Connection)

Cary High’s beloved Cooper Field is currently undergoing renovations. However, the ongoing renovations coincide with the women’s soccer season, causing controversy. The women’s soccer team raised high concerns, calling it unfair for the renovations to sideline their season. Despite their objections, the field’s makeover continues.

Cary High senior Emma Evenhouse has been a member of the soccer team since her freshman year. Regarding the renovations, she said, “I wouldn’t say it affected our performance. It was more our motivation and how much we looked forward to this season. Especially as a senior, it’s pretty disheartening that we can’t experience Senior Night on the field we’ve been practicing on since freshman year.” 

As a result, alternative solutions have been explored by the girls to help overcome this issue. Since the school’s grant is to be used by June 1st, the players don’t see why the renovations can’t be pushed back a few weeks. “It’s not only soccer being affected by this; it’s lacrosse and track as well,” she expressed. 

Consequently, the team has taken action to address the issue. The soccer players attended a Wake County school board meeting and asked for two things: “One, consider pushing the construction back for a few weeks. Two, ask that they provide a practice field.” Evenhouse urged. Not only are their games impacted, but the players are also hurt. Since then, the school has decided to hold all this season’s soccer practices at Middle Creek Park, a lengthy 25-minute drive from Cary High.

However, the women’s varsity soccer coach, Coach Laura Kerrigan, expresses her genuine understanding of the urgency of the renovations. She believes that “someone would’ve gotten affected,” no matter when these renovations could have taken place, so it’s simply a matter of unfortunate timing. 

Although there is a difference of opinion regarding the ongoing renovations that have impacted the women’s soccer season, it is a matter of urgency that has reasonably raised frustration yet understanding by the soccer team.