(Following is corrected text on a story that ran in the May 1 issue.)
In their inaugural season, the Mater Lakes Academy girls’ middle school soccer team reached the Charter Schools League Championship game, but lost to Doral Academy, 5-1. The girls finished the season 7-4.
Head coach Robert Vidal said his team played well throughout the season.
“We came such a long way when no one gave us a shot,” he said. “We won the semifinal game and made it to the championship game. That was a great accomplishment for the girls.”
Vidal said his team got off to a slow start in the regular season but turned it around. Before a game, he told his team he would buy them pizza if they win.
“I ended up spending $100 for pizza,” Vidal quipped. “But it was well worth it.”
Vidal said his players are the best soccer team assembled.
Team co-captains Daniella Martinez, an eighth grade student, Geraldine Velasco, who’s also in the eighth grade, and 7th grader Ingrid Pagan are the backbone of the team.
And so are Vanessa Rodriguez, who was the team’s leading scorer at three goals per game, and Hailey Vidal, the coach’s daughter.
Robert Vidal said his team lives by one motto.
“We are all we got,” he said. “No one gave us a chance but we found our way and fought to get to the championship game.”