Paul Laurence Dunbar boys soccer team finished ranked nationally to reach TOC 2013-14.
Photo by Army National Guard
was abuzz on Friday, Jan. 10. The 2013 soccer season has come and gone, but the celebration of the Bulldogs' winning season has not died down. The Bulldogs' season ended with a record of 26-1-2, including 14 shutouts, and with a defeat of rival Trinity High School.
The game was no easy win. After regulation time had ticked away to 3:31 left, the score stood at 1-1. Paul Laurence Dunbar kicked in the winning goal in the fifth round of penalty kicks. They clinched their school's fourth state title in school history!
On Friday afternoon, students, players, coaches, faculty, parents and news reporters flooded the school auditorium. Not only was the soccer team state champs, but they were receiving national recognition for their outstanding display of teamwork and accomplishments. The second-annual MaxPreps Boys Soccer Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard honored Coach Todd Bretz and the Paul Laurence Dunbar High School team as one of our nation's elite high school boys soccer teams. MaxPreps ranks more than 14,000 soccer teams in all 50 states and the tour chose to honor 10 teams. The Bulldogs were ranked No. 13 in the country!
After pumping up the crowd by recalling the grueling match between Trinity and Paul Laurence Dunbar, Staff Sergeant Adam Alstatt congratulated the team for its success. He reminded the players of the importance of teamwork and determination. He encouraged the players that it took every single team member, from the last man on the bench to the star athlete, to clinch a state title. They each contributed to each win. Staff Sergeant Alstatt then presented coach Bretz and the Bulldogs with the coveted Army National Guard national ranking trophy. The stage was full of proud, yet humble players. Coach Bretz thanked MaxPreps and the Army National Guard for the recognition and attributed his team's success to commitment and hard work.
This season and honor will not soon be forgotten by any of the student body at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School!
