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St. Anthony School Wins Conference Soccer Title

By Will Plazewski

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

With a 3-0 victory over Notre Dame in Spring Hill, the Warriors from St. Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio closed out another season of middle school sports by capturing both the 2011 regular season and tournament conference titles in soccer. Though forced to field a co-ed team, the Warriors nevertheless competed in the boys’ division of the Northern Suncoast Catholic Schools Conference.
On the way to compiling a record of 10-1, they led the league in goals scored – 42; in fewest goals allowed – 10; and shutouts - 4. Individually Jonathan Ruiz’s 14 goals led the league. Ruiz’s only competition came from fellow Warrior Daniel Medeiros, who netted 10. Eric Pitton led assists with 6.
Defense often gets overlooked, but Stephanie Guadarrama’s steadiness at sweeper combined with Owen Clanahan’s consistently smart play on the left side gave opponents little opportunity to score. Johnny Nystrom was stellar during his time in goal by allowing only 4 to get past him all season.
Even more impressive was the fact that academically 11 of the 16 players on the squad achieved either Honor Roll or Merit Roll during the season. As the season went on however, their most impressive attribute was that they grew as a team of Christian athletes. They began playing for each other, not for individual glory, and they offered support to one another rather than blame. Once they reached that point and beyond, the victories on the field of play seemed both effortless and insignificant in the bigger picture.
Congratulations Warriors on a fine season. Your community salutes you.
The 2011 NSCS Soccer Champions are: Nisha Gupta, Alana Innerbickler, Joey Nystrom, Johnny Nystrom, Eric Pitton, Emma Bjornson, Alex Garcia, Stephanie Guadarrama, Collin Hankin, Jonathan Ruiz, Owen Clanahan, Brenden Crawford, Philip Plazewski, Christian Alfonso, Jessica Guadarrama and Daniel Medeiros.
St. Anthony soccer was sponsored variously by Carriage Trade Cleaners, Luttrell Chiropractic, Style Vision Salon and EPYSL. In addition to soccer, Northern Suncoast Catholic Schools Conference schools compete in Golf, Tennis, girls’ Volleyball, boys’ Flag Football and Basketball in grades 5 - 8.��