THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2024 Page 19 First annual Crimson Tide alumni boys soccer game makes strong pitch to revive the sport in Everett Everett coach Rodney Landaverde leads the way to promote success for the program statewide By Joe McConnell F irst-year Everett High School (EHS) boys soccer coach Rodney Landaverde is reviving soccer interest in the city. As a former player, he wants to develop that love for the sport, which he has had all his life. To that end, Landaverde took another step in achieving his goal by hosting the first annual Crimson Tide boys soccer alumni game at Everett Memorial Stadium last Saturday, Nov. 23. “With much anticipation, we rallied 80 alumni to participate in this game, and they were joined by many families and friends in the stands,” Landaverde said. “This event brought many graduating classes together to reminisce and catch up with former teammates and classmates, all in the name of Victor Thomas, a 2018 EHS graduate and former boys soccer player, returns to the Everett Memorial Stadium pitch last Saturday for the first annual Crimson Tide alumni game. (Courtesy photos) reviving the Everett (soccer) legacy.” Everett High graduating classes from 1997-2024 took part in the alumni game, with current seniors also participating. Former EHS boys soccer goalies Mikerlentz Accien (2018) and Javier Olivar (2021), from left, return to the Everett Memorial Stadium pitch last Saturday for the first annual Crimson Tide alumni game. “It was such an amazing turnout,” said Landaverde. “(The alumni game) brought many people (to Everett Memorial Stadium last Saturday) to (help) celebrate and play the sport Edgar Ruiz, current EHS boys soccer goalkeeper coach and 2002 graduate, William Pizzetti, also a 2002 EHS graduate, and former EHS boys soccer coach Oswaldo Constanza from 2012-18, another 2002 graduate, from left, were on hand for last Saturday’s first annual alumni game at Everett Memorial Stadium. once again that once brought us together throughout (our) high school (years),” said Landaverde. Landaverde organized the event with added support from former coaches Eric Chajon (Class of 2012) and Oswaldo Constanza (Class of 2002). “I truly feel very grateful, honCurrent EHS head boys soccer coach Rodney Landaverde, a 2018 graduate, takes the ball across midfield during the first annual Crimson Tide alumni game last Saturday at Everett Memorial Stadium. Current EHS head boys soccer coach Rodney Landaverde, a 2018 graduate, takes the ball across midfield during the first annual Crimson Tide alumni game last Saturday at Everett Memorial Stadium. Luan Cruz, a 2021 EHS graduate, controls the ball during the first annual Crimson Tide alumni boys soccer game last Saturday at Everett Memorial Stadium. ored and blessed to be connected with so many players of different generations,” Landaverde said. “To have this much support in my first year (as the Everett High coach) has been surreal, and this is just the beginning. “Soccer in this city has been on the rise for a while now, and Eric Senabaldi, a 2016 EHS graduate, returns to the Everett Memorial Stadium pitch during the first annual Crimson Tide alumni boys soccer game last Saturday, Nov. 23. SPORTS | SEE PAGE 26 William Barrett and Arlind Shehu, 2017 EHS graduates and former boys soccer players, from left, cheer on their alumni brothers during the first annual Crimson Tide alumni game last Saturday at Everett Memorial Stadium. Everett High School boys soccer alumni, some 80 strong, pose for a team photo during the first annual Crimson Tide alumni game last Saturday at Everett Memorial Stadium.
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