The energy was electric under the Friday Night Lights as CCS students, alumni, and families packed Matthews Sportsplex to cheer on the men’s soccer team. The anticipation for the game was vibrant from the very beginning of Homecoming Week to the Alumni Tailgate and Fun Zone that occurred right before the game. The activities provided varied from carnival games to local vendors, such as Bear Foods. The CCS cheerleaders participated in applying temporary tattoos and hair glitter for the children that attended. There were even special appearances by Calvin and Kelly the Cougars and different Disney princesses! As the Homecoming Game was preparing to begin, the Varsity Men’s team participated in a field walk with the kids.                                                                                                                                                    

Right from the start, the game was fierce and intense with both teams pushing hard and exchanging opportunities to score. The game was kept a shutout from both sides until halftime. During halftime, the team took the opportunity to recuperate and discuss making adjustments in order to secure the win. When asked about the key to the victory and the adjustments made after halftime, Kalani Ugale (#7 left back) explained, “The key to that victory was staying calm because we knew that we were going to score—it was just a matter of time. After halftime, we made an adjustment by switching our formation, which gave us better opportunities to score.” Winner Ikana (#14 striker/winger) also added, “It was about coming out just as hungry, maybe even hungrier, than in the first half. We focused on staying disciplined and not making any silly mistakes. That kept us sharp when it mattered the most.”

During halftime, CCS presented the Homecoming Court: Adalyn ’29, Piper ’28, Chloe ’27, Charlotte ’26, Cate ’26, and Anna ’26; these women were chosen for their most honorable school spirit and Christ-like characteristics. After the high school voted, Charlotte Scott was crowned as the 2025 Homecoming queen. When asked how she felt when she heard her name called, she said, “I couldn’t believe it, it was truly a surreal moment! I was so excited and INCREDIBLY grateful to be honored in that way, and as you can tell my dad was also pretty excited.” 

As the game resumed after halftime, the Cougars scored two goals in the last ten minutes of the second half by Winner Ikana and Shane Durso. When asked how he handled the pressure throughout the game, Winner replied, “For me, it’s about trusting my preparation and, more importantly, trusting God.  When it’s 0-0 with five minutes left, it can get stressful, but I’ve learned that God always makes a way.” Carmel’s win bumped their record to 5-6-1.

As for Concord Academy, they are on a three-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 8-7. This was Carmel’s eighth consecutive win against Concord Academy, and it extended Carmel’s winning streak to five games. When asked what they liked about their team’s performance that they could build on, Kalani pointed to the group’s composure and teamwork, saying, “I liked how we played like a team and controlled the whole game. We can build on this game by just scoring.”

Winner emphasized the team’s patience and dominance throughout the match and also added, “I think we can build on being more clinical in the final third and making sure we capitalize on our chances.” While seeing how the team’s performance progressed, Winner was also able to develop as a player: “I learned how important it is to just keep going. I missed a few chances, but I knew that if I kept trying, one would fall. It was all in God’s timing, and, honestly, the fact it happened so late made it even more special. Getting to celebrate that moment with the team was amazing.” 

The final whistle blew and the crowd cheered in school spirit. The Homecoming Game was more than just a match; it was a celebration of both teamwork and community. Everyone brought their energy and school pride, setting the tone for the weekend full of memories. With the victory the team gave us, the high school students were able to carry the cheer and excitement into the Homecoming Dance the very next day.