Soccer and Cross Country Advance to Playoffs

By Natasha Ashby

Staff Writer

Soccer

For the first time ever at SLA, the Boys Soccer team qualified for the playoffs. Their record this season was 6-6 and the players’ range from freshman to seniors.

The team consists of various skill levels, and come together on the field to play in unison. Before they begin their season, they spend an immense amount of time conditioning from workouts to running up Lemon Hill multiple times.

The Rockets were thrilled to qualify for playoffs this year. Unfortunately, they lost their first playoff game against Lincoln High School on Thursday October, 20th, knocking them out the PIAA playoffs. They also lost against Masterman on October 26th, which was their last chance of clinching a district title as a team.

Douglas Wallace, a senior and two-year goalie, has accomplished something all on his own. He has been named all public as a goalie by all C division coaches. This season alone, he has made between 80 and90 saves, allowed only ten goals and has had three shutouts.Wallace was named to the all public team on October 17th. “I was shocked,” he said. “That’s kinda crazy. It means I am one of the best goalies in my division.” Compared to last year, the way he prepared himself was very different, because he put in more effort to get stronger and faster in order to be ready for the season. Thanks to Coach VK for training him and giving him the confidence he needs to do well. As a goalie, he educates himself and his team about the pros and cons of the game as a way of mentally preparing them for future games.

Cross CountryCross Country runners competed in the Public League on Thursday October 20th against all public schools in the Philadelphia School District. Matt Ferry, captain of the boys team, who has placed twice during his years running in the Public League, and Maggie Long, captain of the girls team, have long prepared their team members for this meet and many meets to come such as Districts and States.

During Public, the entire team qualified for districts — Seniors Tyler Hankinson, Rick Kinard  and Mustapha Idriss, Juniors Maggie Long, Matt Ferry, Tenzin Ngawang, Sasha Myuzaki and Katherine Hunt, Sophomores DeShawn McLeod, and Freshmen Amy Chen and Reggie Simmons.

Ferry is fully aware of what it’s like to be a leader and a competitor. Having been apart of the team for two years now, he has learned how to be a captain.

“Many responsibilities are placed on me, all of which I love. Whenever my teammates need help, I give them racing strategies, warm-ups, and just someone who they can depend on. During both the boys and girls races I’m along the course cheering my teammates on. As soon as I finish my race, I go right over to my coach and wait with her to help motivate my teammates to stay strong till the end.”

In 2010, he came in 8th place and had a personal best time of 18:25. Now, this year he placed 13th, qualified for Districts and is now on his way to the State competition on Saturday, November 5th in Hershey, PA.

The team attributes its success to the fact that they are like a family. Whether it was while stretching, warming up or during the race, an SLA student voice could always be heard cheering on another.  According Maggie Long, “Running clears my mind. It’s good exercise and I love my coach. It’s a team sport but individual at the same time. I don’t have to rely on others to win. My whole goal is to beat myself and improve each time I run.”

SLA boys soccer players and cross country runners are quickly rising through the ranks of the public league, while staying true to themselves and to their team.