In August 2012, 10 freshmen took the field as head coach Angela Kelly’s first recruiting class.

On Friday night, fans can see how far the 10 – now seniors — have come.

The Longhorns will end regular-season play with a matchup against Montana. It will be the last time the seniors take the field at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

“Senior night’s going to be bittersweet,” senior defender Brinkley Field said. “It means that it’s the end of season, it’s the end of, kind of like, soccer in general. But it’s going to be awesome because it’s a night to celebrate my awesome senior class and all of us.”

Kelly said she has watched each player transform under her guidance and philosophy.

“Soccer is the vehicle to which we hopefully build stronger young women and I have watched this group of 10 seniors grow,” Kelly said. “They have all grown up right in front of my eyes and become young women. And that’s just really exciting to see.”

Often in sports, a coach does more than just coach. Coaches become mentors. They morph into parental figures. Kelly did just that.

“She’s been a great mentor and just like a mom that we have on campus,” Field said. “She’s always been here for us and always answers any of our questions on and off the field about soccer or personal life.”

Senior night won’t be the last time the Longhorns take the field. After Friday’s 7 p.m. game, the Longhorns play at least once more in the Big 12 quarterfinals.

“We plan on going farther than that,” senior midfielder Lindsey Meyer said. “So I think just taking it one game at a time and just really enjoying every moment out on the field at this point.”