There is something about a spring afternoon at May Catholic School that feels made for soccer. The sky over the back field was a clear, cloudless blue last Tuesday when the Eagles took on St. Anthony’s in the opening match of the diocesan spring season — and the home crowd was ready.
Students, parents, and teachers lined the sidelines, some wrapped in light jackets against the morning chill that had not yet burned off. The Eagles’ royal blue jerseys stood out sharply against the green grass as Coach David Torres gathered the team for a final word before kickoff.
“Play together. Play hard. Play with joy,” he told them — the same three words he says before every match, a mantra the players have come to know by heart.
The first half was tightly contested. St. Anthony’s came in with a strong midfield, and the Eagles found themselves working to carve out space. Then, in the twenty-second minute, seventh-grader Marco Delgado dribbled past two defenders and threaded a pass to classmate Javier Cruz, who headed the ball cleanly into the top corner of the net. The sideline erupted.
May Catholic School added a second goal before halftime, a free kick expertly placed by sixth-grader Isabella Torres that sailed past a diving goalkeeper. Parents cheered. Teachers cheered. Even the school’s normally reserved librarian, Mr. Hoffman, was seen pumping his fist from the far end of the bleachers.
The second half brought renewed pressure from St. Anthony’s, who narrowed the gap to 2-1 with a well-worked team goal. The Eagles dug in, playing disciplined defense and relying on goalkeeper Amara Williams, whose two crucial saves in the final ten minutes kept the lead intact. When the final whistle blew, the score stood at 2-1: a hard-earned, joyful victory.
Coach Torres praised the team’s composure. “They didn’t panic when St. Anthony’s scored. They trusted each other, and that made the difference.” He was quick to single out the team’s leadership, noting that the older players have set a strong example for the younger students who joined the team this year.
Off the field, the soccer program at May Catholic School is about more than wins and losses. Players are required to maintain academic standing to participate, and the team holds a monthly service project as part of their commitment to the school’s mission. This month, they spent a Saturday afternoon raking leaves and cleaning up the grounds of a local senior center.
The Eagles have seven more matches ahead before the diocesan tournament in April. If Tuesday’s performance is any indication, May Catholic School’s faithful fans have plenty of reason to pack the sidelines all season long. Go, Eagles!
