Culver City Middle School soccer, or fútbol, continues to get better with every year.

Parents have been supporting these kids since their early AYSO days.

Many of them are in competitive clubs. further developing their skills.

Playing for your local middle school continues to be a special honor.

All of the hard work throughout the year culminates into a few short months where the players must get to know each other’s individual stylse and work as a team.

Coach Lino Herrera has been guiding the soccer program at the Middle School for 17 years.

He takes great pride in making sure he brings out the best in his squad.  He is able to bond with the players and give them one-on-one attention to improve their game. It shows.

On a recent Thursday in the dusk hours, the boys were confident but feeling the weight of the moment.

In a few minutes, the final would start on their home turf in Culver City. They would face another West Side school, Mark Twain.

At the whistle, Culver City immediately maintained possession and squeezed out the first goal by Hayden Brown.

The stands erupted!

From that point, Culver City showed their dominance on the pitch.  Drive after drive, the team inched closer to the net, all led by center midfielder Kevin Arenas passing it off to striker Gabriel Mejia.

In the middle of the first half on a breakaway, Javier Mata dribbled in from the right side of the penalty box and scored an extremely difficult angled shot, top right corner.

For the remainder of the half, both teams fought hard. By halftime, Culver City was leading 2 – 0.

Coach Lino made a few changes in the second half. He appeared to want to cement a stronger lead.

Mark Twain came out aggressive in the second half, and scored their only goal.

Culver City quickly regained their bearings.

Jake Aigner and Miles Nightingale made outstanding plays on the pitch.

Off a quick throw-in and even quicker pass, Gabriel Castro, ever the aggressive player, slammed in a shot past the goalie.

The pitch was filled with excitement as the players congratulated their team captain.

Mark Twain fought back, fending off several attempts at goal.

When Mark Twain formed an attack, Nicolas Flores, defensive stopper, and goalie Jesper Giardino were there to defend for Culver City.

Towards the end of the second half, with Culver City leading 3-1, substitutions were made.

With only seconds left, Nico Gonzalez-Cortez sprinted past the defenders, shifted left and scored.

Top bins left corner!

The crowd went wild as the feeling of a win was drawing near.  More players were substituted to get their moment to shine, namely Irving Mateo and Carlos Martinez Lopez.

As the sun lowered past the horizon, the final whistle blew.

Culver City Middle School defeated Mark Twain, 4-1.

The team ran out to the field, shouting and cheering.

Emotions ran high. Players embraced feeling the joy of that moment.

Mr. Gonzalez may be contacted at luis@fullbloom.tv

For a student to win the final, especially a young middle schooler, it’s a moment of pride and jubilation.

All their efforts are displayed on the pitch leading to a final moment that many will remember for years to come.