by Bea Peterson
More than 40 people joined Hoosick Falls Central School girls soccer coach Tom Husser on a memorable trip to Europe in late July. Fourteen girls from HFCS, one gal from Schuylerville, one from Loudonville and two from Seattle, WA, made up Husser’s girls soccer team that played in the Valtellina Football Cup in Italy. “We played five games,” said Anna Restino. “We played teams from England and California and two Italian teams.” Anna added, “It was a great experience. It was gorgeous to look up and see the Alps. It was so amazing!” She gives credit to the four players who were not from Hoosick Falls. “They were excellent players,” she said. “They brought our team up to the next level and helped us a lot.” The championship game pitted the girls against the Italian team they had lost to, 3 to 1, during the tournament rounds. “It was a real turnaround,” said Husser. “We beat them 5-2, and the Italians don’t like to lose.”
There were opening and closings ceremonies for the Tournament. “Thinking about the closing ceremonies gives me goosebumps,” Anna said. The team entered the area with the US flag to the playing of “We are the Champions.” The trophy was awarded, and then the National Anthem was played. “It was almost like the Olympics,” said Husser. “I think we made Tom proud,” said Anna.
Later they also played a friendly game against a girls team in Dunboyne, Ireland, which they won 5-2. Anna and her mother, Margaret Restino, agreed the best part was having dinner with the Irish players at Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Restaurant afterwards and getting to spend time with them.
It was not all soccer for the travelers. They did plenty of sightseeing, including a two day stint in London where they toured Windsor Castle and rode the London Eye, the giant ferris wheel built for the millenium celebration. From London they flew to Milan for soccer and sightseeing, including a train ride on the Bernani Red to St. Moritz. On their return to Milan the team toured San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza), a soccer stadium that can hold 85,000 fans. Next stop was Dublin and then Cork for sightseeing, including the Rock of Cashel. The finale was the friendly soccer match and get together in Dunboyne, then to London and back home after an exciting 12 day adventure.
High School Girls Soccer This Year
Husser isn’t sure how far his team will go this year. “We lost five starters last year and one of our gals just broke her ankle playing basketball,” he said. Those who went to Europe with the group are looking forward to the new season and all of them are hoping they make the team and can give it their all throughout the season.