Huntsville Strikers rep teams meet their Toronto FC idols

Submitted by the Huntsville Soccer Club

Main photo: Members of the Huntsville Strikers U11 and U12 girls’ rep teams (one one from the U8 development program) hoist a Toronto FC crest on the the team’s field during the singing of the national anthems (kneeling in the front row from left) Juliet Occhiuzzi, Franciska Feuth, Chase MacKinnon, Abby Wood, Leah Maxwell, Karlie Budreau; (standing in the back from left) Rebeyka Henn, Norah Moeller, Tessa Ferguson, Sofia Asturi; and (hidden by crest) Zoe Doyle.

A magical night for Toronto FC (TFC) was doubly special for a group of girls and boys representing the Huntsville Soccer Club on March 29 at BMO Field.

Members of the Huntsville Strikers U11 and U12 girls’ rep teams – plus one from the U8 development program – had the honour of hoisting a giant TFC crest on the field during the national anthems. They also received a pizza party in between rehearsals and the main event.

Meanwhile, most of the U11 boys team had a pre-game photo and autograph session with one of Toronto FC’s Canadian players, Richie Laryea.

The teams were joined at the game by almost 60 people from the Huntsville Soccer Club made up of coaches, family members and even some adult league players.

Those in attendance witnessed the magician-like passing and goalscoring of TFC’s newest star midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo, who notched two magnificent goals and had a brilliant assist in his first ever match for the club. He led the way for a resounding 4-0 TFC victory over New York FC.

It was the perfect result on a fantastic evening for the Huntsville contingent, who had family members texting screenshots of the girls on TV during the anthems, which were sung by none other than Jennifer Strype.

Throughout it all, the Strikers did what they do best and represented their club, themselves and their community in tremendous fashion.

Above, top left: the girls wait in the TFC tunnel (from left) Norah Moeller, Franciska Feuth, Chase MacKinnon, Tessa Ferguson, Rebeyka Henn, Abby Wood, Juliet Occhiuzzi, Sofia Asturi, and Zoe Doyle.
Above, top right: the girls getting ready (from left) Tessa Ferguson, Sofia Asturi, Karlie Budreau, Juliet Occhiuzzi (red hat), Abby Wood, Norah Moeller, Zoe Doyle.
Above, bottom: Pizza party! (from left) Juliet Occhiuzzi, Sofia Asturi, Tessa Ferguson, Rebeyka Henn, Abby Wood, Leah Maxwell, Chase MacKinnon, Norah Moeller, Franciska Feuth, Karlie Budreau, and Zoe Doyle.

Above left: The boys wait patiently at the station (from left) Jared Markle, Owen Porter, Ian McMannon, Neil Shenker, Liam Schraa, Myles Ewald, Lucas Young, Gabriel Nakamoto, Dante Occhiuzzi.
Above right: Coach Chris Occhiuzzi (in back) with (back from left) Ian McMannon, Owen Porter, Gabrial Nakamoto, Lucas Young, Jared Markle, Dante Occhiuzzi, Myles Ewald; (front from left) Liam Schraa and Neil Shenker.

Above: Toronto FC player Richie Laryea with (left) Dante Occhiuzzi and (right) Neil Shenker.

“We’re so proud of all our kids who were at the game,” says boys coach Chris Occhiuzzi. “They did us all proud. It was an amazing experience and I know they will cherish it for a long time. I hope one day in the future we can do it again and have even more players from Huntsville with us.”

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