Boys Soccer Rallies for a Cause

Every year, the PV High Boys’ Soccer Program organizes and participates in the Goal-A-Thon. 

This event aims to incorporate soccer into a fundraising event that benefits the program and the community.

The Goal-A-Thon works by giving player a pledge card. With this card, the sponsor pledges to donate a certain amount per point scored. 

The points themselves are earned at the event, where each player gets a maximum of five shots on an open goal and then receives a certain number of points for the difficulty of each goal. 

For instance, more points would be awarded for a challenging goal shot into the top corner of the goal than a chip shot into the middle of the goal.

“It’s a way to raise money for a cause while also doing what we all love,” varsity soccer player Koa Vetterlein said.

Once all of the donations from the pledges are collected, a portion of it goes to the soccer program while the other portion goes to a charity chosen by the senior players. 

While in the past, they have donated to causes like California wildfire relief, home construction for the poor in Tijuana, and the maintenance of a struggling orphanage, the purpose of this year’s Goal-A-Thon has taken on a whole new significance.

The charity that the team decided to donate to this year was Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, a cause that was unanimously chosen and rang true in the hearts of all Sea Kings due to a recent tragedy.

“The boys soccer team lost Tanner Bagley, and the players and I felt this was one way we could honor him,” Head Coach Derek Larkins said. 

“This year was different because we all had a connection,” Larkins said.

As the Goal-A-Thon commenced, the thumping of a soccer ball being launched into the crisp winter air and parents cheering on their teenagers was all that could be heard. 

However, the spirit and memory of Bagley seemed to live in the minds of everyone.

“This year the Goal-A-Thon really meant a lot to us and showed how we need to raise awareness about mental health and remember Tanner,” JV soccer player Colin Lantz said.

After the last goal had been shot, Coach Larkins emotionally reflected on the event and his passion for coaching.

 “God blessed me with the opportunity to run this program and work with these awesome young men,”  Larkins said.

”Part of the blessing of being part of this program is having the opportunity to serve others.” 

The boys soccer team united to support their chosen cause at the annual Goal-A-Thon on Saturday Jan. 18. (Photo by Fin Kehrli)

Every year, the PV High Boys’ Soccer Program organizes and participates in the Goal-A-Thon. 

This event aims to incorporate soccer into a fundraising event that benefits the program and the community.

The Goal-A-Thon works by giving player a pledge card. With this card, the sponsor pledges to donate a certain amount per point scored. 

The points themselves are earned at the event, where each player gets a maximum of five shots on an open goal and then receives a certain number of points for the difficulty of each goal. 

For instance, more points would be awarded for a challenging goal shot into the top corner of the goal than a chip shot into the middle of the goal.

“It’s a way to raise money for a cause while also doing what we all love,” varsity soccer player Koa Vetterlein said.

Once all of the donations from the pledges are collected, a portion of it goes to the soccer program while the other portion goes to a charity chosen by the senior players. 

While in the past, they have donated to causes like California wildfire relief, home construction for the poor in Tijuana, and the maintenance of a struggling orphanage, the purpose of this year’s Goal-A-Thon has taken on a whole new significance.

The charity that the team decided to donate to this year was Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, a cause that was unanimously chosen and rang true in the hearts of all Sea Kings due to a recent tragedy.

“The boys soccer team lost Tanner Bagley, and the players and I felt this was one way we could honor him,” Head Coach Derek Larkins said. 

“This year was different because we all had a connection,” Larkins said.

As the Goal-A-Thon commenced, the thumping of a soccer ball being launched into the crisp winter air and parents cheering on their teenagers was all that could be heard. 

However, the spirit and memory of Bagley seemed to live in the minds of everyone.

“This year the Goal-A-Thon really meant a lot to us and showed how we need to raise awareness about mental health and remember Tanner,” JV soccer player Colin Lantz said.

After the last goal had been shot, Coach Larkins emotionally reflected on the event and his passion for coaching.

 “God blessed me with the opportunity to run this program and work with these awesome young men,”  Larkins said.

”Part of the blessing of being part of this program is having the opportunity to serve others.” 

The boys soccer team united to support their chosen cause at the annual Goal-A-Thon on Saturday Jan. 18. (Photo by Fin Kehrli)