SPRINGFIELD – With state tournaments wrapped up, Western Massachusetts boys soccer All-Stars from Class C and D came together for a friendly game at Pope Francis on Monday.
With parents, classmates and friends filling the stands the game was a meeting of rivals playing the final game of their high school careers.
The All-Stars were split into two teams, the red team and the white team. Ultimately, the white team came out on top, winning 2-1.
“What I did was try and break them down in terms of position, forwards, midfielders, defenders,” White team and Lenox coach Jedd Hall said.
“Fortunately my goalkeeper from Lenox… decided he was going to stay in goal… and then credit to [Kenneth Korzec] he was sort of the one who was orchestrating changing people in and out. We did a super job with that.”
Hall did say that a struggle with having so many teams come together was not knowing exactly where everyone plays with their respective teams.
Leading the way for the white team was Shayne Folkes Jr. and Kareem Awkal.
Both players had a hand in both of their team’s goals during the matchup.
Folkes Jr., who played for Springfield International Charter School this fall, passed the ball into a crowd that had formed in front of red team goalie Daniel Santiago’s net, where it was eventually picked up by Awkal, who shot onto goal.
Despite getting his hands on the ball, Santiago was unable to save it, putting the white team up 2-0.
The first goal of the game was scored by Folkes Jr. after an assisting pass from Awkal. After gaining possession, Folkes Jr. thread the ball through a crowd of defenders and teammates to put white up 1-0.
“Compared to everything else, it was just the chemistry we used to have, cause we used to play against each other way back when,” Folkes Jr. said. “I think from there, we just had that chemistry when playing.”
Since the two white team goalscorers had played together when they were younger, Folkes said it was easier to play with Awkal because of that previous chemistry.
Awkal, who played for Hampden Charter School, thought his team had better chemistry Monday night.
“..We talked to each other a lot [during] the game, we played round-o’s before the game.” Awkal said.
With just over 30 seconds in their last high school soccer game, the red team found a chance to notch one last goal.
Matthew Scagel found the back of the net, crossing from the right side of the box and firing into the back of the net. Scagel ends his senior season with 14 goals.
Getting one last opportunity to represent their school and play high school soccer, players came into Monday just looking to have a good time.
“…I just wanted to have fun, it’s my last senior game and [Monday] was a great experience overall,” James Anderson from Hopkins Academy said.
“I just wanted to have fun with it, I knew a bunch of guys here love soccer,” Noah Kolodziej from Turners Falls said. “I knew that if I just go out there and play, we’re going to have a great time and get it done.”
Anderson, reflecting on his senior season, said he wasn’t satisfied and is still hoping to play in college. He also said that he knows he needs to improve his game and continue to work towards his ultimate goal.
Anderson scored four goals this season and made two assists.
“Its been fun, and it’s a lot of work, but when you get those big moments, when you get these opportunities to play in this kind of game, it makes it feel worth it,” Kolodziej said. “Your work is being recognized, it’s a good feeling.”
Players for both teams were recognized as all-state selections and for winning their respective Western Massachusetts class titles as they were being subbed onto the field.
With laughs coming from both the stands, sidelines and players on the field, Monday’s face-off was a good one to end the season on a positive note.
“…These are all A-level players…the fact is, this is an A-team,” Hall said. “These are all top-level players, half of them, if not all of them, are captains, obviously these are the leaders that we’d expect, so its fun to see them watch and them be very generous with the ball.”
