A Soccer Story...

I want to tell you a soccer story. You see, there is this team of dedicated young men who play soccer for Reynoldsburg High School. They worked hard all season. Then came post-season play. And, they won their first match against Westerville North, a formidable foe. They advanced to the second post-season game against Delaware Hayes.

Practicing before the game...


Stretching...


Gettin' everyone pumped before the game...


Both teams battled. Every player gave his all. The opposing team had a good goalie. He saved a lot of shots. And Reynoldsburg's goalie saved just as many.

Delaware's goalie saves a Reynoldsburg shot...


Clearing the ball...




The coach gave players advice...


Lots of fans came even though it was a cold night...


Reynoldsburg makes a save...


There were a lot of high flying players going after the ball...
















Another great Reynoldsburg save...


Going for the goal...


Delaware Hayes scored. A hush fell over the Reynoldsburg fans. The game was surely over. Everyone was ready to congratulate the Raiders on a good effort when with seventeen and a half seconds left in the game, the Raiders scored! It was a tied game!!

The coach gave the team a pep talk...


The players huddled up to give each other support...


The Raiders battled on for two periods of overtime play...


Neither team scored so the match moved to a PK shootout. The goalies prepared and squared off one-on-one against players from the opposing team. Each time a player would score or the goalie made a spectacular save, the crowd went crazy. In the end, the Raiders won the shootout...four to two !!!!! The Raider's side of the stadium exploded! The fans were screaming and the players were jumping for joy!

The players celebrated...




A shout-out to the fans who supported the team all the way...



As the players moved to center-field to congratulate each other, the opponents side of the field was silent. It was as though they were in shock at the turn of events.

Congratulating Delaware Hayes on a game well played...


It was then that I think the players came to realize what they had done...they had won! Emotions finally overcame them.







A Delaware Hayes player reflecting on the loss...


The story continues as the Raiders prepare for their next opponent. This team of young men can truly be proud of their accomplishments. They never gave up, they held together, they cheered each other on and pushed hard for the win. In a word...they rocked!!! Congratulations.

Go Raiders!!!