By Katherine Rodriguez
Going into the 2014 season, the varsity soccer team had one goal: make it to the semi-finals in the Passaic County Tournament and participate in the New Jersey State Tournament. Senior captains Fernando Calixto and David Acevedo lead a new breed of Passaic Indians along with the help of junior captain Aldair Velazquez.
Personally, Calixto wanted to beat last year’s record of 3-15. Acevedo wanted to beat both Clifton High School and Passaic County Tech. Aldair aspired to become a role model for the rest of the team, being the only junior captain.
These goals motivated the team to work harder during practices, focusing on playing better than ever before. During the Passaic County Tournament, they made PHS history, making it to the quarter-finals. They are ending a highly successful season and even played Hawthorne Christian in the NJSIAA Tournament. This was quite a change in just one year.
The most memorable moment for the team was beating Pompton Lakes in the Passaic County Tournament, 3-2. Acevedo and Calixto both agreed that it was great to win after losing to them since their freshman year.
“This was a great way to end my senior year season, by beating Pompton Lakes. I really feel like we have accomplished something,” said Calixto.
The dramatic success, especially given the troubles of the past, is attributed to the many hours of hard work logged over the summer. Coach Fazio used that time to forge the individual players into a team. The team used that time to become a tightly knit family.
Every day during summer practice the team worked together, pushing, challenging and encouraging each other to grow. The hard work paid off, because the final record for the 2014 season is 8-8-1, a great improvement over the past several years.
Photos by Katherine Rodriguez
Most of the Varsity Soccer Team had played soccer nearly all their lives. For example, captains Acevedo and Calixto. Both began playing soccer at the age of 5 and are currently playing in club teams during the off season. Aldair, a late bloomer, did not start until 12 but proved to be a forced reckoned with, stepping up to the demands of the team. Aldair travelled to Florida on December 7, to compete with his team, The New Jersey Stallions, in a national tournament.
Although most of the Varsity Soccer team is made up of seniors which include: David A. (Midfielder), George F. (Defense), Fernando C. (Defense), Luis R. (Defense), Miguel R. (Forward), Ivan T. (Midfielder), and Rodrigo F. (Goalkeeper), Aldair believes that there is a potentially great team next year.
The 2014 season can be summed as the year the underdogs defeating Pompton Lakes, made it to the quarter-finals in the Passaic County Tournament and competed in the NJSIAA Tournament. As these Indians prepare for the 2015 season one thing is for sure, the underdogs are barking for a chance to do even better next year.
Congratulations on this year’s success and good luck next year!
