District Finals in the Minds of Pines Charter Varsity Soccer Team and a Thought More: Fighting For a Cure
February 1, 2023
The bleachers were painted purple Monday night for arguably the most important game of the season so far. The boy’s varsity soccer team played their hearts out, not only securing their spot in Districts but showing out for a special cause, too—fighting cancer.
As students and parents entered the field, Relay for Life club members handed out purple cancer ribbons. Proudly, they poked them into their purple shirts, lavender sweaters, lilac jackets—anything that would allow them to convey their support; for many, the game meant more than just the win.
“My uncle passed away about seven, eight years [ago] from cancer,” says head coach Marc Lue Young. “He was the most important father figure in my life. Today is a very special day for myself and as well as some of the boys whose families have gone through cancer. I just hope to get a result for my uncle and for my players who have gone through the cancer process.” And results, they got.
A step on the path to winning districts was taking on American Senior High in the playoffs. Starting off the game, junior Rafael (Rafa) De Almeida scored the first goal to earn Jags the advantage and morale. The student section went crazy, stomping their feet against the metal bleachers and producing a noise that rivaled the congratulatory eruptions of Rafa’s teammates. A tight game ended the 1st quarter with the Jags up 1-0.
In a very challenging 2nd quarter and with no shots being finished, the boys entered halftime with only one goal; the Jaguars knew they had to attack the other end harder.
Second half, and a great pass to senior Ryan Palelis had the ball strike the back of the net for a 2-0 Jaguar lead. The goals motivated the boys to stretch their lead. Seniors Santiago (Santi) Torres and Emilio (Emi) Acosta added two more. Their teammates swarmed around them, embracing the scorers and each other, while three students in the bleachers removed their shirts to spell in bold, black letters the word “EMI”, with each letter painted on each of their backs. Between the two spectacles, the student section went wild once more.
Already leading 4-0, the Jags knew they would be playing Archbishop McCarthy in the district finals, but junior Alexander Hershey wanted to end it with a bang, shooting to the far left corner to bump up the lead 5-0. He removed his jersey as he ran up the field in triumph.
Hershey earned a yellow card, but some of the student section ran onto the field to join him in the excitement. The call was history.
Though the game ended with an impressive 5-0 run, the end goal remains the same: winning districts. “I’m proud of the boys and how we did during the regular season. I think we showcased the talent we’ve been hyping up since the beginning of the season,” says senior and varsity soccer Team Captain, Alexander Champagne. “I’m proud of where we’re at right now, first in districts and hopefully on to win district finals on Wednesday.” Coach Marc is equally as proud. “This is my 4th year at Pines Charter,” he says. “I mean these young men have been playing with me for three or four years, they know what I require and what they need to do for us to get the results and lead their team to victory. I think they have done that this entire season.”
Likewise, captain Champagne has exercised his own unique ability to direct a team. “I think as captain I was able to lead my boys through thick and thin. We started off slow [this] season but I think I helped them stay encouraged, to train harder at practice, and be [in] the place we’re in.”
His advice applies to a different type of battle, a fight he also plays the game for. “Cancer sucks and I pray for those who go through it. I know they fight, so we [play] this game for them.”
For the same reason, Relay for Life saw the playoff game as the perfect opportunity to spread further awareness for cancer. “It was the boys’ playoffs. We wanted a lot of kids to come. It’s a great way to raise money [for cancer],” says Relay for Life Captain, junior Amogh Baranwal. “We ran concession stands, raffle baskets, face painting…it was a fun event for the [entire] family. The win showed that as Charter, we are coming together. The win would have boosted spirit[s] regardless of the outcome because we’re still raising money for a cause; it made everyone feel happy about what they’re doing.”
The proceeds from Monday’s game will go straight to cancer research and other organizations that seek to put an end to the disease.
The win wasn’t only a win for our boys, but for the fight against cancer too.
