The Parker Boy’s Varsity soccer team has won the championship in the Body Armor sports Series. This year the series took place on Sunday, September 18 at the Lyons Soccer Complex. Parker and George Westinghouse College Prep faced off to determine the winner of the Body Armor Showcase, a tournament featuring high school teams from all across Illinois. Each team in the tournament starts the bracket challenge at the quarter-final stage.

Parker first played Joliet Catholic Academy on Saturday, September 10 in the quarter-finals and won 8-0. In the semi-finals on Sunday, September 11, the team defeated Curie High School 4-1. The team was also victorious in their final match against George Westinghouse College Prep and won 3-1. Junior Marian Cozma scored two goals in this game, and Senior Gray Joseph scored once.

Senior Emre Emanet describes the feeling of bringing home the trophy in his last year on the team. “At first, after when we won the game, it didn’t feel like we won a tournament because we were surprised with the competition because we thought we would be going against better schools,” he said. Emanet said the moment of victory that was most memorable was when they sprayed bottles of Coke in front of the Coca-Cola truck and “it felt like we won.”

Emanet praises team captain Lucas Daskal for his leadership and encouragement both on and off the pitch. “He encourages me to be better and reflect for example if we concede a goal he will want us to be better if we make a mistake we got to be better and it’s all a one learning experience.” The Colonels are ready and excited ahead of their big homecoming game against Latin on September 24th.