1-0. Sweat dripped off the players’ foreheads as they sprinted across the pitch, chants and cheers booming from the crowded bleachers, the coaches shouting commands and signals, and the Chargers battling to maintain the slim lead they had established against Tampa Catholic.
Shorecrest’s soccer program has found much success, recently ending an incredible undefeated regular season in January. The Chargers’ roster boasts extraordinary talent and future stars, including a golden trio at its core.
Seniors Alistair Ford, Manny Escamilla, and Ludvig Ronngard have been dominating the midfield, scoring goals, and most importantly, winning games.
Ford started playing soccer at the age of five and has loved it ever since. “I love soccer because it’s always been there for me; it’s been the most consistent thing in my life,” he said.
Ford’s love for the sport shines through his gameplay. He has always been dedicated to the game, but has struggled to balance soccer and school. “I put the athlete before the student, but I would not recommend doing this,” he said.
Soccer is a necessity for Ford, who plans to continue playing at a collegiate level before ideally pursuing a career in a sports agency.
For Escamilla, soccer is a dream and an outlet. He said, “When I’m on the field, I don’t have to worry about anything else.” His consistency, dedication, and true love for the game have gotten him to where he is today.
However, he said he couldn’t do it alone. “Coach Stephan was my coach for the past 4 years, and he gave me the opportunity to play … in the midfield when no other coach gave me the opportunity,” Escamilla said.
Opportunities such as these have shaped Escamilla into the player he is today. He has big dreams and hopes to play soccer professionally.
Ronngard lived across the globe in Sweden until his sophomore year, and his soccer journey would best be described as rocky. He moved to the United States to play basketball, quitting soccer for 2 years, but he ultimately could not abandon the game he loved.
“I missed [soccer] too much, and it was a part of me for so long that I couldn’t be away from it,” he said.
Ronngard has greatly experienced the benefits of soccer. “I found my friends that I have today because of soccer, and I will never forget that,” he said. “It is like home for me, no matter where I go.”
Ronngard dominates as a midfielder, making big plays during crucial moments when he is needed most. One of his favorite soccer experiences was in a game against Calvary Christian this season, where he scored a hat trick in a narrow 4-3 victory to keep the team’s undefeated season alive.
The three seniors also play for a semi-professional soccer club called the Celtics. Escamilla, Rongard, and Ford said this team has helped them develop greatly and has given them great opportunities to network and enjoy life outside of soccer.
Together, Ford, Escamilla, and Ronngard form a Charger trio that dominates the pitch, and their efforts have led the Chargers to their first undefeated season.
