The varsity girls’ soccer team has recently committed to raising money for the construction of a girls’ trophy case to house their many championship trophies. After years of filling up the general trophy case in Staples High School with their growing number of awards, the team is finally raising the $7,000 necessary for the construction of the new one.

According to the Staples girls’ soccer website, the case they have proposed will be the “first ever female only trophy case at Staples High School.” Head coach Barry Beattie explained the need for the girls’ case.

“In the last six years we have won multiple awards,” Beattie said. “Including FCIAC championship and runners up, three regular season championships, two class LL runners ups, four NCAA Academic awards, one referees sportsmanship awards and even some all New England awards.”

On May 4, the freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams all contributed and held three separate fundraisers. First, they held a mother/daughter boot camp at Athleta, an athleisure-wear store in downtown Westport. Following the 8:30 a.m. bootcamp, a second work-out class was held at Joyride, a cycling studio. After the athletic activities of the morning, the entire team came out in shifts to hold a four-hour car wash.

“It was super inspiring to see how many people were willing to donate and help out by volunteering or coming to our car wash,” Team Captain Katie Ialeggio ’20 said.

By the end of the busy day, the team had raised almost all of the funds.

“We were completely shocked at how much money we raised,” Team Captain Reese Sutter ’20 added. “It was truly unbelievable”

Many of the team members feel very passionate about the absence of the trophy case, and feel that it is time that one is finally built to celebrate their many achievements. Team Captain Mia Gonzalez ’20 stated her support for the project.  

“It is unfair that a girls sport that wins a good amount of trophies isn’t given the needed space for their accomplishments.”

Having made varsity as a freshman, Gaby Gonzalez ’22 is proud of the many trophies they have earned over the years and believes that building the new case is a great way to honor their hard work from all athletes that went through the girls’ soccer program.

“As a team that has won many titles, we deserve to display those somewhere that is meaningful to not only us but the whole school,” Gonzalez said.

As they reach the end of the fundraising process, the entire team is looking forward to this new addition  outside the field house and are ready to continue their success into the 2019 season.

“As long as we can continue to represent Staples HS to the best of our abilities on and off the field,” Beattie said, “I will be a happy head coach.”