A Bridge for Kids Teen Achieves Soccer Dream!

Congratulations to Lisette Diaz, a student at the Preuss School UCSD, and her Del Mar Sharks club soccer team, for a first place showing in a recent soccer tournament held in Mexico City, Mexico. Lisette plays for a prestigious San Diego club, the Del Mar Sharks. The tournament is very well known in the junior soccer community.  Only a select few teams are good enough to qualify and compete against some of the most respected club soccer teams in the United States and Mexico.Lisette knew she had to perform well in this tournament. Hours of practices on the field and grueling workouts all led up to this moment. After a long, tiring flight her team arrived in Mexico City and went straight to the field for their first game. Although they were exhausted they fought their hardest to make it to the finals. Lisette played 4 games and defeated those teams, earning her a proud spot in the finals. The semifinals had been tough and nerve-racking. “We were nervous to not rise up to the standards. Being able to qualify when no one really believed in us except for our coaches was unbelievable, we had to fight for every goal like it was our last,” Lisette said. Their grueling semi final match ended with a score of 1-0 at the 107th minute.The finals were minutes away. Not only was the opposing team very good, they were the same team that the Sharks had lost to in the previous qualifying tournament. Throughout the game, it was hard to predict which team would win. The game had to go to 120 minutes, with neither team scoring. This meant that the results depended on penalties to see who would be the tournament champions. Time ticked on, and both teams were anxious to make a score. In the end, Lisette and her fellow teammates prevailed. Lisette went on to say, “It was an amazing experience. We won to a team we had just faced a disheartening loss to. We have come so far from when I first joined the club. Now I feel that anything is possible if you put more effort in than you think you can. The key is to always try your hardest even when no one believes in you. I’m so proud of my teammates and thankful to my coaches for providing me with this opportunity. I will continue to work hard and give my all in every game. The field is where I belong.”With the help of A Bridge For Kids, Lisette has been able to pay for all of her necessary equipment and uniforms for the soccer season. Without her sponsorship, Lisette wouldn't be able to train with her team. Considering she is a low-income student, these resources don't come around very often. She is taking advantage of the helpful financial support and mentorship she has received from A Bridge For Kids this year. “Soccer is a huge part of my life, but it costs a lot of money to keep training and sometimes my family cannot afford it. A Bridge For Kids has given me the chance to keep doing what I love. I don't know where I’d be without this inspirational program. When I grow up I hope to be as generous as they have been and help kids in need like me,” said Lisette.Congratulations to Lisette and her team on the big win in.