“I think soccer is a great game because it brings people together. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what language you speak, soccer unites everyone,” a quote from Marco Van Basten, former Dutch forward from the football club AC Milan.
Soccer, often referred to as the best sport in the world, is way more than just a sport; it is a quilt woven from the threads of human emotion, identity, tradition, and passion. It is not just a simple sport composed of a ball, two goals, and 22 players, who pour their lives and soul into the game. Soccer is a dance of skill and true willpower.
It unites nations and people of all continents and countries together, allowing them to bond over their genuine passion towards the sport. Every goal, every pass creates history, and allows anticipation to build within the 90 minutes. The feeling of adrenaline coursing through the fans’ bodies until the whistle is blown. There is no truer passion than the one an aficionado has over their team.
Soccer holds the history of legends and makes stories from the sweat, tears, and blood of players who are striving for the glory, win, and success of their team. Every moment creates exhilarating memories and experiences that can define one’s career, or even lifetime. The ball being held between the players foot contains the endless possibilities of winning a competition.
Soccer is a passion, it’s an emotional game full of anxieties and euphoria.
Senior Night for our soccer players took place on Thursday, January 18. Our senior girls, Dani Birmelin, Maria Cadena, Alexandra Frasca, Anna Leavitt, and Ella Pinsky were celebrated. The girls soccer team won an outstanding game against Dreyfoos 2-1.
Our senior boys, Lucas Falcone, Zachary Fragione, Sebastian Melhado and Max Paggeti were commemorated on January 18 as well. The boy’s soccer team won an amazing game 7-1 against Dreyfoos with a brace from Zachary Fragione and Enzo Matisko (freshman).
During senior night, I was fortunate to sit near the Paggeti family. They were truly a devoted family, showing their unwavering support and cheering on the team, especially their son, in the most loving way possible. They emphasized Cardinal Newman’s family values. Cardinal Newman leans on the support of family. No matter if win or loss, family is always there to support each other, on and off the field.
The Girls soccer team played Lincoln Park on January 24th and claimed victory with a 3-2 win and are advancing to semifinals. The guys’ soccer team played Lincoln Park the following day and won with a marvelous 6-0, advancing to semifinals as well, with both teams traveling to play Benjamin.
Zachary Fragione (#10, senior) scored four goals in the quarterfinal playoff against Lincoln Park, allowing him to complete thirty goals on the season as well as six hat tricks.
“Last three years we’ve all had the players to accomplish winning districts but this year we’re gonna get it done.” -Lucas Falcone, senior.
To celebrate the efforts of the soccer team this year, I interviewed some players the day after quarterfinals:
– Zachary Fragione (Senior, Captain) – “Our season is going well… we are in the semis and we’re going to beat Benjamin!”
– Lucas Falcone (Senior, Captain) – “Very eventful season but last night we won quarterfinals thanks to this kid [Zach], and we’re going to win districts!”
– Max Paggeti (Senior) – “Up against Benjamin, they’re a pretty tough matchup but I think if we play well, and do our best we can take a W!
– Sebastian Melhado (Senior, Captain) – “Just came off a win against Lincoln Park. We are ready for Benjamin this tuesday!”
– Brady Surovek (Sophomore) – “Coming to [Benjamin’s] field, it’s their turf, taking them out… easy.”
– Albee Oppedisano (Sophomore) – “We have good momentum going into the semis and I think we have a real chance of winning. The season has had a lot of ups and downs, but we have momentum rolling into the district semifinals.”
– Sebastian Gonzales (Sophomore) – “Season’s been good and an emotional rollercoaster with unexpected injuries I’ve had to play through, yet with a loving team. I couldn’t ask for a better team to play with.”
– Grace Erickson (Sophomore) described playing as “really fun and our team is super close!”
– Mateo Duque Gomez (Freshman) – “I’m happy and proud that the team made it to the semis!”
– Rose Matot (Sophomore) – “If I could describe it in one word out to say it’s been amazing!”
– Jaiden Wandtke (Junior) – “For our season, I feel like we have a great chance at districts and I hope to see a good turnout on Monday.”
– Afife George (Freshman) – “I felt that it was a season to remember. As a freshman joining JV, everyone was so welcoming, even if they were upperclassmen. Even though we had many losses, everyone still pushed their best to make the team better. It almost felt like family.”
– Izzy Hamila (Sophomore) – “The soccer season was so much fun and I really got to bond with a lot of my teammates. We all grew as a team and as individuals and I can’t wait to see what happens next year!”
I also asked the players to give me one word to summarize their season:
– Mateo Duque Gomez: Fun
– Zachary Fragione: Spectacular
– Lucas Falcone: Exciting
– Max Paggeti: Confident and exciting
– Sebastian Melhado and Brady Surovek: Sensational
– Jaiden Wandtke: Excited
– Chris Pike: Shaky
– Trevi Alisetti: Fenomenal
– Ellie Stender: Exciting
– Jack Cecchini: Nerve-wracking
– Michael Barone: Fun
– Lucas Hernandez-Trujillo: Etheral
Huge congratulations to both the soccer teams! Let’s go Crusaders!
