DeSilva delivers, Bob Jones plays for a spot in Soccer’s final four
Madison- The task for the Bob Jones boys’ soccer team is clear but it will not be easy. Go on the road Saturday to Vestavia Hills and knock off the #1 ranked team in the state. A victory will put the Patriots in the history book as the first team from the school to play in the AHSAA Soccer Championships since the final four moved to John Hunt Park in Huntsville in 2005.
The #4 ranked Patriots are playing as well as any team in the state having won their first two playoff games by 3-0 and 1-0 scores over Shades Valley and Grissom. The team success is due in large part to the play of goalkeeper Brent DeSilva who capped off the week on Thursday when he signed a scholarship to play soccer at UA Huntsville.
Bob Jones boys soccer coach Uwe Spiller says that DeSilva has been a big reason why the team is playing its best soccer of the season and is now on a 5-game winning streak since a mid-season loss at Huntsville.
“We had a great win yesterday, great team effort and Brent has been a big part of the team success this season,” Spiller said at the signing ceremony Thursday afternoon. “Congratulations on the UAH honor today. They have got a good program and it will only get stronger with you there.”
DeSilva transferred to Bob Jones this season from Catholic High School along with two senior teammates who have been instrumental in the team’s success. Andrew Dunn had two goals in the opening playoff win over Shades Valley and Michael Delano had the only goal in the win over Grissom.
“Playing here at Bob Jones has been great. I love playing soccer with you guys and thank you for helping me achieve this” DeSilva said to his teammates at the signing ceremony. “I thank God that he has led me to this place and hope he continues to guide me. I’ll represent Bob Jones at UAH for 4 years.”
Academics played a big part in DeSilva’s decision to accept the partial athletic scholarship to UAH. He also received a partial academic scholarship to attend UAH.
“It just seemed like the right school for me,” DeSilva said. “When I took an official visit there it seemed like the right place for me. I enjoyed meeting all the players and coaches and they had exactly what I needed academically,” said DeSilva who will study Chemical Engineering.
“I’ve loved playing with this team this year,” DeSilva said. “Some of these players I’ve played with for many years. It was just even better to come back and play with them at their own school and be a part of an excellent team with a lot of team spirit. I’ve loved being a part of that.”
Principal Robbie Parker gave the soccer team even more motivation to bring home a win on Saturday.
“Next week, when we are in the final four at John Hunt Park, I can assure you there won’t be a tie on me. I’ll take the day off if I have too and go watch some soccer,” said Parker who will be in Gulf Shores this Friday and Saturday at the AHSAA State Track and Field Championships.
“If we win Saturday, I don’t care what time we have to play we are going to get out early,” Parker promised.
DeSilva shares Principal Parker’s desire to get to the AHSAA State Soccer Championship.
“I would find it just amazing to take this team there. It’s always a team effort. I would love to be a part of the team that finally makes the state tournament,” DeSilva said.
Saturday’s game is at 4 p.m.
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