Many parents and students braved the cold weather to watch the SDA alumni soccer game on Jan. 7 at the SDA stadium. Families were bundled up in winter clothing, sipping hot chocolate and cheering on the women’s and men’s alumni and SDA’s varsity soccer teams. The women’s alumni played the girls varsity team and the men’s alumni opposed the boys varsity team. The games concluded with a girls varsity victory of 2-0, as well as a boys varsity victory of 2-1.

The goal-a-thon, which was also held Jan. 7, is a fundraiser for the school’s sports program. Players on the boys and girls varsity teams helped raise money by getting five tries to score a penalty kick and receiving money for each goal made. Goalies earned money based on the number of kicks they save. Sponsors such as Flipping Pizza, El Napalito, and Starbucks donated their food and drinks to this event.

A few members on the boys junior varsity team attended this event to help support the other teams. “This game is important to me because I like to cheer the other teams on. It’s great seeing the graduates come back and play with the varsity teams,” said sophomore and JV player Miguel Ibanez.

Sarah Le, a 2006 SDA alumni who continued playing soccer at Cal State LA said, “I really cherish my experience playing soccer at SDA and I still believe that it’s the best high school in our area.”

The event was a positive experience for everyone: students, alumni, coaches, families, and friends celebrating the spirit of SDA’s soccer program. “It was a fun evening and I like to help raise money for the school,” said sophomore and JV player Anival Gregorio.