The Arlington Bulldogs, a recreational boys youth soccer team, finished fifth in its age division in a national 4-H Ignite tournament competition in March.
The Bulldogs participated in the age 14 and 15 division and played against teams with older players.
“We had several standout moments,” Bulldogs coach Alex Ordonez told ARLnow. He pointed to Alessandro Meza for making a crucial impact by “shifting into a defensive role and shutting down multiple offensive plays.”
The coach also singled out Jasson Moran for playing a key role both in assisting defensive plays and advancing the ball to strikers, and said goalie Edgar Delgado made multiple saves. Mason Ordonez was saluted for his defensive maneuvers, including a header that blocked a shot on goal.
“This selection [of the team for the tournament] speaks volumes, not just about our team’s success, but also about their character, leadership and drive to inspire others,” Ordonez said. “They hung in strongly and gave their opponents a fierce battle. Our players showed incredible determination, and gained the respect of coaches and teams nationwide.”
There were 11 players chosen to participate in the competition from a Bulldogs’ roster of nearly two dozen.
“It was a hard decision to select only 11,” Ordonez said.
The 4-H Ignite event was held in D.C. The Bulldogs trained with professional players and coaches at the event, and participated in courses where they explored behind-the-scenes aspects of soccer and nutrition.
“This experience was not only a test of their athletic ability but also an opportunity for personal growth and learning,” Ordonez said.
Other players for the Bulldogs were Jacob Crespo, Xabi Escalera, Ibrahim Benkahla, Ivo Lazic, Julian Leiva, Chris Lozano and Jeronimo Vargas.
“They all showcased their resilience and skill throughout the event and remained focused and committed, making Arlington proud,” Ordonez said.
