Unified Soccer Playing with Heart 

by Catherine Spears

Photos by Julissa Marquez Martinez

September and October saw the return of the Unified Soccer Team, a joint effort between girls' and boys' soccer and the ALPS (Alternative Learning Pathways) athletes. Mr. Chavez, head coach of the Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team and PE Coach Ms. Richner, former Warrior head Softball coach, came together this year to coach the program. 

Juan Perez Batista has been on the team for one year and plays the midfield position. Juan’s short-term goal for the team is to win as many games as possible. He looks forward to beating Sunnyside by 20 goals again. The team practiced outside every Tuesday and Thursday during lunch. Juan said the team is great at supporting each other during a loss and keeping each other motivated. 

 Monzerrat Arroyo (Girls Soccer) and Miguel Cortes (Boys Soccer) were partners on the team and are both Class of 2024. Monzerrat played the forward position, and Miguel played center back. Monzerrat decided to become a partner to help fellow soccer lovers and to support the Warriors. They both stated that they wanted to help the team improve and win as much as possible. Teamwork was one of the many strengths the team possessed. “Teamwork makes the dreamwork,” Miguel said. Miguel looked forward to playing every team because he was confident that they would beat them all. “Every team is a challenge, gotta look forward to playing everybody,” Monzerrat agreed.