Soccer player Travis Knight fields the ball during a game.
Should the Public Schools Athletic League get rid of our soccer team? Our co-ed soccer team continues to show improvement, but some of the players on the team aren’t taking PSAL games seriously.
Similar to the team’s first season last year, this season the team’s thirteenth game against the Curtis Warriors, was forfeited on September 18, 2009.
“I feel upset and sad for those who showed up and didn’t get to play,” said Coach Luis Cruzatte
According to Cruzatte, it seems as if some of the players aren’t serious about varsity soccer at all. Those who showed up at the Curtis field were pretty upset with the players who did not.
“Even after all the practices, we did not get to show off what we had been ready for. I feel sorry for those who showed up and didn’t get to play. I hope our team realizes soon that soccer is more than just a sport,” said a soccer player.
Adding to the forfeit, the team’s first home game against Port Richmond didn’t turn out as well as expected. Still, there’s no doubt that in that game our team put up a challenge.
Defense players junior Michael Grigoli, senior Robert Keller, and sophomore Sal Barone ran back and forth on the slippery field trying to keep the other team from scoring.
“Our first game didn’t turn out as we hoped, but we put up a good fight. The girls especially were more competitive than most of the guys on our team,” said team captain Matt Prevosti.
Despite the forfeit, there are a number of dedicated players on the team who practice every day after school from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Those who show up at practice are the ones benefiting from the coaches mentorship.
Two hours of running back and forth on the field and playing practice games has improved the team’s ability to perform.
New female players freshmen Lina Apostol, Caitlin Casale, Diana Estrada, Alina Khan and sophomore Gabrielle Lafata are excited to be playing with and against the boys.
They display an amazing performance during each game and are more aggressive than many guys on the team.
“I enjoy playing because it gives me a chance to get competitive with everyone and show off my skills,” said freshman Diana Estrada.
