Columbus Day Soccer: It’s about tradition and memories
Columbus Soccer Action...The Town of Webb School's annual Columbus Day Tournament returned last weekend with plenty of games to watch and enjoy, including Friday night's alumni game. Though the local scholastic teams had a rough go, Columbus weekend soccer is mostly about the celebration and the experience which, win or lose, will never be forgotton. Photo by Page Hannah
For much of the nation, Columbus Day symbolizes the discovery of our great land and, in particular, the man who is generally perceived as being the first to step upon its shores.
Never mind that Christopher’s intent was to sail to Asia and, until his death, claimed that he had done exactly that.
Or that he actually wasn’t even the first European to have landed in North America, having been preceded by Leif Ericson nearly five-hundred years earlier.
Or even that millions of humans already inhabited the Americas millennia before good ole’ Chris stumbled upon it.
Oh well, I guess it’s not unlike many of our holidays and traditions… a nugget of truth wrapped in a blanket of misconception. After all, neither yams nor white potatoes were being grown here in the 1600’s, but it doesn’t stop us from piling them on our plates come Thanksgiving.
Still, these traditions do serve a purpose and are rooted in truth. Columbus did open the door for European colonization of the “New World” because, while he might not have been the first here, he was the first to stay.
- Jessica Hannah sets up against an opponent in the consolation game.
- Daria Orekhov. Photo by Page Hannah
And while they didn’t call it “Thanksgiving” at the time, there was a harvest celebration that brought the pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians together for a feast.
Traditions are mankind’s way of remembering. Of setting down history so that future generations may benefit from knowledge of the past.
Here in the North Country, we have a number of our own traditions. And Columbus Day weekend holds a three-fold meaning.
Yeah, it’s about that adventurous Italian lad who led the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.
But it’s also about something else that’s decidedly European, and that would be soccer.
An enthusiastic crowd looked on as our local Varsity teams gave a great accounting of themselves, not to mention an entertaining alumni game on Friday night.
In the end, the girls’ results were pretty much a microcosm of their entire season, losing both games in overtime shootouts. Great effort and teamwork, only to find themselves a day late and a dollar short despite it all.
The boys made out a little better. They dropped their opener, but were the first team to score two goals this year against the top-tier goalkeeper from Bolton’s Landing, a feel-good story in and of itself.
They then went and hammered out an impressive victory in the consolation game, spanking Johnsburg 7-1. That contest featured a hat-trick from Ethan Kress, his second of the season.
Still, for me, the most indelible image came in the alumni game, where Tommy Greco produced several amazing saves in goal donned in (what else?) his crimson “union suit.”
Which brings us to the third element in the weekend. That of remembrance.
For those that don’t know, Tom’s bright red one-sie is a tribute to a fallen friend. One of two young men who would have been a big part of the festivities this weekend, but are no longer with us.
The thing is, while the loss still stings, I found myself smiling when Tom first ran out on the field. The thought of Matt Girouard and Craig Sears is now one of joy. A celebration of their lives.
And therein we find the need for our traditions. They bring us back.
Back to the things that really matter in life. Our family, friends, and the happy memories we all share of the loved ones who we will meet again, someday.
