Student Publishing Program ::

Diego Garcia

Taking The Field

I remember the day my soccer team won the State Championship. It was June 14, 2005, and I can recall that day as if it were yesterday. We were clearly the underdogs, which made the win so much better and valuable. We went through to the semifinals in second place of our group, winning 2 games and losing one, to Western United, then 6 weeks later came the semifinal. This was our best game all year, beating a great Boston Bolts team 4-2. Our last game arrived; everything we worked for came down to this. Both teams battled very hard all the way to the end, but we wanted it more and came out victorious.

This win did not only mean that we had beaten the #1 team in Massachusetts, Western United, but we were also going to represent the state at Regionals. The final score was 2-0, with me scoring both goals; the crowd was going wild after both goals and after the last whistle. It’s amazing how a No. 7 ranked team can beat the odds and win it all, this is of course if the team has what it takes, I guess we had it. Teamwork, heart, commitment, and skills are what you need to be successful, and that is what my team, Freedom F.C. had. Soccer is my life and passion. This sport is what I want to do when I grow up and earn a living by playing it.

Even though the club Freedom F.C. does not exist anymore, it will always be in the books as the only No. 7 team in Massachusetts to win a State Cup. Later on in Virginia Beach, Regionals were played. We won the first game very easily Rhode Island 6-1, next came Western Pennsylvania and just like in the State final, Massachusetts came out on top 2-0. All we needed to advance to the semifinal was a tie. The game was against a great New Jersey squad. The game started very fast-paced, the tone was set high with both teams creating many changes, but with only 10 minutes left in the first half New Jersey gets on the board. Momentum clearly went their way, 10 minutes into the second half, they score again and 5 minutes later the third and final goal. The score was 3-0 and New Jersey went through, I guess they did deserve it more than us. Massachusetts (Freedom F.C.) finished 19th in the region an outstanding accomplishment.

Now that all the players moved on and went to other teams, it feels good to sometimes remember those great victories and moments that we all had together, both on and off the field. The 2004-05 season will always be remembered as the best season in Freedom F.C. history. Even though we did not win the whole thing, we all feel we accomplished something great - something no one thought was possible. We all learned a life lesson: no matter how small the chances are of winning, just know that it is always possible. And just like that famous saying, “All good things must come to an end.” Just like that our season was over, and we all went our separate ways one last time.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2009 EDITION]