By Rachel Kalina
The under 12, 6W division team finished its season undefeated on June 10, thanks to a hard-working group of 11 and 12-year-old girls and their coaches. Led by Coach Oscar Balloveras and Assistant Coaches Mike Gardianos and Alan Sobel, the Baldwin Jaguars have managed to take first place out of ten Long Island Junior Soccer Team leagues which will enable them to advance another division in the next season.
"I think our girls did great," Balloveras said of their final game, where they won eight to nothing. "It was exciting to see some of our girls get a goal for the first time."
The March through June soccer season consists of nine games, and this year the Jaguars also played four Waldbaum Challenge games for the first time. The Challenge is played all over Long Island as opposed to the 10 teams against which the Jaguars normally play - like Rockville Centre and Carle Place. Balloveras said the team's winning streak was achieved with practice, hard work and dedication.
"They love the game," he said. "They are happy to train and they're always very excited for the games." Balloveras said most teams only practice once a week, but his practiced twice -- and with remarkable attendance.
"A lot of coaches we talked to were very impressed we were only missing three [out of 15] girls each practice," he said.
Balloveras's 12-year-old daughter, Olivia, says she felt good to get first place in the division. She said the Jaguars worked very hard together.
"I just love spending time with my teammates. It's very fun to hang out with them and learn more things every week," she said.
Her father has made sure to tell the girls that having fun and trying new moves is more important than winning.
"No matter what the score is, you'll be successful and have fun if you try something new," Balloveras said.
Although they have been playing together for three years, this was the first time Balloveras coached them. When Olivia Balloveras told him she didn't want to attend practice during the previous season, he realized there was a need for a change, which led him to take the position and try to make the game a bit more fun.
Of course, Balloveras knows the Jaguars aren't just about letting loose on the field.
"If we want to do well at our next game we really have to work hard and put our mind to what we want to achieve in the next game," Olivia Balloveras said of her father's advice at practice.
Her teammate, 12-year-old Nicole Gardianos, has been playing soccer since grade 2. "I was very excited," she said about the first-place win. "I just enjoy the team."
While Gardianos isn't sure if her love of the game will stay with her as a hobby or future profession, Olivia Balloveras has already made up her mind.
"I want to go very far with soccer," she said, "I'd like to play in the Olympics sometime."
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