Saint Bede Soccer Scores Historic Victory
Goldie Rapp
History was made this past weekend as Saint Bede’s soccer team celebrated its first-ever varsity win, defeating Yorkville Christian High School. For Coach David Garcia, Saint Bede Spanish teacher and varsity coach, the victory was more than just a milestone - it was a reflection of a dream that has been years in the making.
Coach Garcia currently leads a roster of 18 players—14 boys and 4 girls, including several of our boarding students. The journey to this point has been shaped by both inspiration and perseverance.
“When I first spoke with a student who wanted to come to Saint Bede but chose another school because we didn’t have soccer, it weighed on me,” Garcia shared. “The same thing happened with my son, Moises. He wanted to enroll here but ended up elsewhere because there was no program. I knew something had to change.”
That change came last year, when Garcia took on the challenge of building a soccer program at Saint Bede.
For him, the goal extends far beyond wins and losses.
“My goal is showing the love of God through the soccer program. I want to share with Saint Bede students, interact with them and make a great impact in their lives as a coach and teacher,” he said.
Senior Alp Arslan serves as co-captain of the team. A boarding student from Turkey, Arslan brought prior experience with the sport when he joined the team last year. Watching the team grow and attract more players over the past year has been a rewarding experience for him.
“It’s been a great experience to play here at Saint Bede. It’s really exciting to now say we are part of Saint Bede history. I hope our program continues to grow and that more students give it a try,” he said.
Looking ahead, Garcia hopes to expand the program, including the possibility of establishing a girls’ soccer team in the near future.
The journey has not been without challenges. The team currently practices on uneven grounds and lacks dedicated facilities, equipment and assistant coaches. Yet Garcia remains faithful.
“All the sacrifices that staff, students and faculty are making together, combined with hope and faith, lead us to believe that one day Saint Bede will have a home soccer field,” he said.
Despite the hurdles, the program has already given Saint Bede students new opportunities, from building community to opening doors for potential college scholarships and even professional-level play.
The Bruins’ first varsity win is not just a victory on the scoreboard, it’s a testament to resilience, faith and the start of a bright new chapter in Saint Bede athletics.
