Clover Park Boys Soccer: A Winner Never Quits and a Quitter Never Wins

When I was growing up — and still to this day — my father has instilled an important principle in me.

Never give up.

He's always preached "a winner never quits and a quitter never wins."

The Clover Park boys soccer team finished the season winless (0-0-16 overall, 0-0-14 South Puget Sound League 2A) after dropping a 1-0 contest against league opponent Eatonville on Friday during senior night at Harry Lang Stadium. It must have been tough — especially for the graduating seniors — coming to practice every day and losing every game.

My football team lost every game except for the last when I was a senior at Mount Tahoma High School. Some of the players quit, and it was hard to continue playing. We came close several times — similar to Clover Park — but seemingly found a way to surrender the win.

The Warriors season has been rocky. Some of the varsity players quit, forcing head coach Mario Guadron to move junior varsity players up. The move resulted in the collapse of the JV team.

While some of the players on the team gave up, the ones that started and ended — albeit without winning — shows character and sports integrity. They're winners for sticking it out despite a frustrating conclusion.

The match was scoreless at the end of the first half against the Cruisers. You could tell Clover Park wanted to win as they were the aggressors against Eatonville, taking more shots on goal. It was the team's second match where the defense hadn't allowed a goal.

In the 48th minute, Clover Park forward Artemio Cardenas nearly scored but Eatonville's goalkeeper parried the ball. Then it was Eatonville's turn.

During one of the Cruisers' offensive drives, Kieth Bunger scored on a header in the 56th minute for a 1-0 lead. It was all they needed.

The Warriors graduated eight seniors and return nine players next season.

Quitting is easy, especially when things aren't going your way. Sticking it out to the end no matter if you win every game or lose every game means you are a winner, because you didn't let your teammates or coaches down. That goes a long way.