Adam Sandler team wins 4v4 Shamrock soccer fundraiser
By RICHIE HALL
WESTFIELD – Would you believe that Pitbull played Winnie-the-Pooh in a soccer game at Westfield on Thursday?
Well, sort of. They were actually members of the Shamrocks girls soccer team, and it was all in fun. Westfield hosted its 4v4 Live Fundraiser Thursday night. The players on the team divided up into smaller teams of their own in an intersquad tournament that was designed to help fundraise for the team, and provide some fellowship among the players and parents.
“One of our coaches created a bracket, kind of random,” said Westfield coach Hannah Eggert. The main bracket was a knockout round, where teams kept advancing until there was a winner. The “Adam Sandler Team” wound up as the champion.
The uniforms worn by some of the teams were not your typical soccer kits. The Pitbull teams featured girls who were dressed as the famed Miami singer/rapper, while the Pooh team had players dressed up as characters from the Hundred Acre Wood. One team called itself “Daddio on the Patio,” where the girls dressed up as dads ready to put some hamburgers on the grill.
The girls on the Westfield team were encouraged to get creative with their costumes. This group called themselves “Daddio on the Patio:” Noor Ahmed, Delilah Albano, Emmerson Barker, Hailey McDaniel, Kate Pallante. (Richie Hall)
The girls were encouraged to be creative, as the team with the best costume would win a prize.
“They’ll get an experience with the coaches,” said Eggert. “So we really encourage them to go all out and I think they did a really good job.”
Talia Whitesel (left) of the Pitbull team battled with Libby Lehr of the Pooh team during the 4v4 Live Fundraiser games. (Richie Hall)
There was a point to all the fun. Eggert said the team “had the girls ask their family members for donations per goal that they score, how many games they win, or just a flat donation to our program.”
And those donations were generous: By the end of the evening, over $2,200 had been donated. Eggert said the money goes to buying equipment, the team’s Senior Night and Teacher Appreciation Night games and events that take place during the school year.
There were also several parents at the games, watching the games and also getting involved in some of the activities. A silent auction took place during the evening, and there were cornhole games set up on the field.
“Our goal with this was to also have the parents be able to come out and hang out, watch the girls play soccer, but also get to know the coaches and the other parents in the program,” said Eggert.
Westfield soccer parents were encouraged to attend and watch the games, as well as get to know the coaches and other parents in the program. (Richie Hall)
Westfield has quite a bit to look forward to this season, and provided a sneak preview when the ‘Rocks played at the Franklin Central Invitational last month. Westfield’s Blue team won the championship, with Reese Sargent scoring two goals in the final game. Ava Smith assisted both goals.
“We had a good mix of players that came back, but we also had some freshmen that played on that team to help us win the event,” said Eggert. “So we’re excited for what we have coming back, but also for what we have coming in.”
Eggert said there are about 30 freshmen coming on to the team, so this was a perfect way to introduce them to the team. The coach said she likes the freshmen coming out “and getting to know the upperclassmen, and the upperclassmen getting to know the freshmen.”
Official practices for girls soccer across Indiana high schools begin on July 31.