As Goalkeeper and Captain of the boys’ soccer team Rafael Costa (12) shouted instructions to his teammates from across the field, his breath appeared in white puffs – any and all warmth instantly disappearing when it touched the frigid air. Despite the chilling temperatures of the evening, the boys dominated against their opponent, the Woodlawn High Panthers.
Within the first ten minutes of the game, the boys were already proving themselves when Thiago Costa (11) scored the first goal. Not long after, the boys were rewarded a penalty kick, scored by Coleman Mayhew (12), bringing the score to 2-0. Then, Thiago Costa scored another goal for an overall score of 3-0. The Panthers snuck in one goal before the end of the first half, but the Broncos maintained a strong defense, making it difficult for the Panthers to hold onto the ball for long. The first half ended with a score of 3-1 with the Broncos in the lead.
The second half started off on a positive note for the Broncos when they were awarded another penalty kick. This one was scored by Rafael Costa (12), who left his position at the other end of the field to score one of the last goals of his high-school soccer career. It was a bittersweet moment for Costa, his team, his parents, and his friends in the stands. The next goal was scored by Charles Daigle (12) almost immediately after he was subbed in. Not long after the Panthers scored a goal and gained one more point, but their celebration was quickly silenced as Jason Constantine (11) scored yet another goal for the Broncos. The final score was 6-2 for the Broncos.
After the game, the team lined up to honor their nine seniors: Rafael Costa (12), Charles Daigle (12), Coen Hoffmann (12), Porter Jaksic (12), Michael Kramer (12), Coleman Mayhew (12), Ethan Nelson (12), Dillon Samson (12), and Lucas Stevens (12). The ceremony was filled with smiles, laughter, and a few watery eyes from the parents.
