Getting their kicks

Danette Goulet

It was a battle every step of the way, but teachers at Rea Elementary

School in Costa Mesa squeaked out a 4-3 victory Tuesday when they

challenged students to a soccer match.

A team of about 20 teachers took on the champion Pilot Cup soccer team

and then each of the school’s seven sixth-grade classes in turn.

“Students have to win because I don’t think [teachers have] been

practicing,” said Nikki Vega, 12, making a bold prediction of victory

that just about came true.

The first 20 minutes of play was pure by-the-book action, while the

staffers took on the winning soccer team.

“We’re getting our butts kicked because we’re old,” said Ronn Waters,

a fourth-grade teacher. “These are the top soccer players in the school.”

While it may have been steep competition during that first 20 minutes,

the teachers came out on top with a score of 2-0 before the game was

opened up to all sixth-grade students.

But Waters was not the only one making excuses, members of the

championship soccer team had a few of their own.

“They’re too big, and they have more talent,” said Edgar Rodriguez,

12, a Pilot Cup soccer player who scored the last of the three goals for

the student team when he played with his classmates.

Edgar and his teammates admitted that they were pretty nervous going

out there, with the No. 1 reason being -- Todd Deutsch, a fifth-grade

teacher and their soccer coach.

“He knows all our moves,” explained Eduardo Castillo, 11.

But students held their own with Christian Sanchez bringing the score

to 2-1 during his class’s five-minute stint on the field, before

fourth-grade teacher Nathan Yrone scored his second goal, gaining back

the teachers’ two-point lead.

But students were determined.

“They’re going down,” said Erik Martinez, 12, before his class took

the field.

As the battle raged on, Fernando Medina managed to slip one past staff

goalie Jeff Williams, narrowing the gap again, but it was not long before

the teachers regained their two-point lead.

As Edgar scored that final goal, the teachers were saved by the

whistle.