SOMERS, N.Y. -- Monday was a great day to be a Tusker, as Somers High School students joined together at a packed celebration in honor of the girls varsity soccer team winning a state championship.
Head Coach Paul Saia recalled the busy weekend that culminated in the win, starting with a Friday bus ride to Cortland, N.Y. and a practice in snow before a 2-1 semifinal victory. He then discussed the team's opponent in the final round, Long Island's Rockville Centre South Side. Saia recalled the many titles that the other school had and how they defeated Somers before.
“They didn't have a chance,” he added. With that, the crowd gave a roaring applause.
Saia also talked about how the girls' success took sustained work.
“It didn't happen overnight. It didn't happen this weekend.
Saia also focused on perseverance when striving for a goal.
“You can accomplish anything that you want if you put your mind to it,” he said. The coach was met with another vigorous round of applause.
Somers High School Principal Mark Bayer mentioned those who made the trip up for the championship game, which included a fan bus. Discussing the return trip following the victory, Bayer mentioned an escort that was given by police, fire and ambulance.
Recalling the entrance back to the school, Bayer noted the turnout, likening it to something found in movies or TV shows. He noted that the visitors included students, parents, grandparent, members of the community, teachers and administrators.
“It was truly, truly amazing,” he said.
Somers Schools Superintendent Raymond Blanch recalled that he was there for the greeting on the bus when they returned.
“The entire community was energized and charged by what you had done,” he said.
Somers Councilman William Faulkner, who presented a town proclamation, took a normally mundane word found in such honors and made it part of the rally. He did so by getting the students to chant "whereas" for its sentences of description.
The championship victory was not the team's only accomplishment this year, as its undefeated season was also mentioned.
Also noted was how the team's win is the second state championship in the school's history, with a 2004 boys cross country win having been the first.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Somers and receive free news updates.
