By Terrance Ji ‘22 News Reporter
Thirds Soccer, also known as Thirds FC, is a mix of culture, passion, and hard work. The coaches of Thirds FC claim to be not only the best Thirds Soccer coaches in the MAPL League, but across the nation; this is not an overstatement. Where there is an extraordinary team there is an extraordinary coach.
After Coach Benjamin McNeil took charge of the team, Benji Cantera ‘18 became the very first player in Mercersburg’s history to move from Thirds to varsity. Coach McNeil remarks, “It [Thirds soccer] is the most challenging athletic program that Mercersburg offers.” This is no joke. From laborious laps around the Enchanted Forest to countless hours polishing footwork, Thirds FC is forged in sweat and tears.
Stanley Fang ’21, currently playing on the varsity team, started his career in Thirds. He recalls, “My favorite memory was when we won the first game against Saint James. It was an away game. It was on their turf and I was pretty nervous, but it was fun. We beat them by a lot, and I got to play a lot.” Stanley owes his success to his experience on Thirds. “It helped me realize I loved soccer. And that gave me the motivation for me to practice more and get better.”
Kyle Kim ’22 shares his favorite moment on Thirds FC: “It was the last game of the season against Hill. The game was tied. Ryan attempted his shot at the last minute, but it hit the goal post and bounced out of the eighteen-yard box. Bassel, the goat [the greatest of all time], found his time to shine and scored the absolute game-winning banger.”
“Thirds soccer has a different kind of intensity,” Bassel Homsi ’20 reflected. “I wouldn’t be who I am today without Thirds.”
Truly, Thirds FC is far more than your average soccer team.