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Kicks Against Cancer: Soccer teams play with purpose

A Kicks for Cancer shirt sits atop a fence on Davis Field. Organizers sold shirts to members of the community before the varsity girls and boys soccer games.
A Kicks for Cancer shirt sits atop a fence on Davis Field. Organizers sold shirts to members of the community before the varsity girls and boys soccer games.
Alison Yang
The varsity girls soccer team poses for a photo. The team lost to Notre Dame High School 1-3 during their game.  

Harker’s varsity soccer teams hosted their annual “Kicks Against Cancer” fundraiser to collect donations for Camp Okizu, an organization that helps those affected by childhood cancer, over the week of Jan. 29.

The varsity girls soccer team poses for a photo. The team lost to Notre Dame High School 1-3 during their game.   (Alison Yang)

Both Harker teams notched goals in the first half to gain early leads. Co-captain Claire Anderson scored off an assist from forward Heidi Lu (12) in the first 20 minutes to put the girls up 1-0. A counter-goal from the Regents tied the score 1-1 shortly after.

Co-captain Cynthia Wang outruns her opponent during the girls varsity soccer game. Team members sold baked goods throughout the week to fundraise for Camp Okizu. (Alison Yang)
Goalie Dhruv Trivedi (12) points down the field. Dhruv's save in the second half kept the Eagles alive to tie King's Academy 2-2.

King’s Academy gained a lead on a highly contested penalty kick three minutes into the match. The boys tied at 1-1 when co-captain Ben Cha (12) assisted fellow co-captain Jack Yang (12) to score with seven minutes left in the first half. The ensuing goal from Ben off an assist from left wing Ryder Hewitt (9) put the Eagles up 2-1 with three minutes remaining in the first.

 

Forward Alec Zhang (11) charges towards to ball. The varsity boys soccer team tied with King’s Academy 2-2. (Alison Yang)
Goalie Dhruv Trivedi (12) points down the field. Dhruv’s save in the second half kept the Eagles alive to tie King’s Academy 2-2. (Alison Yang)
Defender Audrey Yang (11) dribbles the ball. Former varsity soccer player Ashley Barth (’22) helped lead Kicks Against Cancer events during her time on the team. (Alison Yang)

 

On the girls’ side, after the Regents’ quick answer to Claire’s goal, the Eagles failed to regain their momentum. Notre Dame scored two goals in the second half, and Harker eventually yielded the rainy match 1-3. Head Coach Joel Mthombeni commented on the impact of mindset on the match.

“We ended up conceding the goal, and it changed the game,” Mthombeni said. “From there, they were just dominant. They were winning all the balls, they were just a hungrier team. They had a better attitude, better mentality, and you know, that’s what happens.”

 

Forward Ryder Hewitt (10) and co-captain Ben Cha (12) steal the ball from a Lion. The team faced King’s Academy at their annual Kicks Against Cancer game. (Alison Yang)

The boys also battled throughout the second half to sustain their lead. Despite a strong defensive effort, with multiple saves by goalkeeper and co-captain Dhruv Trivedi, King’s Academy scored with 11 minutes remaining in the match to close the game 2-2.

Ben reflected on the team’s persistent effort throughout the tight game.

“Once we got that first goal, for us, it sparked a new mindset,” Ben said. “We had a new mentality going forward, so that carried through all the way until our second goal. We had to keep our heads in the game. It was unfortunate that they scored on us a second time, but it’s alright. At the end of the day, I know I had fun playing.”

Stanley Chen (10) purchases baked goods at the Kicks Against Cancer bake sale. The varsity soccer teams sold baked goods during long lunches from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2.

Although the matches did not go the Eagles’ way, Harker’s soccer teams made a meaningful impact throughout the week by raising funds for Camp Okizu. Whether by selling baked goods or partnering with a local Panda Express to donate proceeds, the Eagles’ efforts continued the legacy of a 14-year-old tradition for the school. Head of Middle School Evan Barth, whose daughter, Ashley Barth (’22), is a childhood cancer survivor and attended Camp Okizu, reflected on Harker’s impact through the initiative.

“It’s a fantastic cause,” Barth said. “Okizu is close to our family, and we love it. I’m proud that this tradition has continued.”

Stanley Chen (10) purchases baked goods at the Kicks Against Cancer bake sale. The varsity soccer teams sold baked goods during long lunches from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2. (Alison Yang)
The varsity boys soccer team cheers before rejoining the match. They maintained a final 2-2 tie after a back-and-forth battle.

Additional reporting by Jessica Hu and Minal Jalil.

The varsity boys soccer team cheers before rejoining the match. They maintained a final 2-2 tie after a back-and-forth battle. (Brandon Zau)
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