A huge blow was dealt to the Saint Joseph boys’ soccer team last week; they were told they had to quarantine for 14 days. After a health department ruling, they’re back.

As a high school athlete during these times, it’s always stuck somewhere in the back of your mind that your season could be shut down with no warning. It’s not something you want to think about, but the possibility is always there, and the Saint Joseph boys’ soccer team found out just how real that possibility was when they were sent home from practice last Wednesday. Later that day, they were told to quarantine for 14 days due to a positive case on the team. No school, no leaving the house, and definitely no soccer.

The team was on quite the run of form when the news broke. They were starting to hit their stride, beating Adams and tying an undefeated Plymouth team, who remains undefeated with a 10-0-1 record. The Indians forced their only tie. Needless to say, a lot of soul searching was done in the coming days and a lot of positive momentum was lost.

The team’s prayers were answered on Friday of that same week when they received an e-mail from Principal John Kennedy and Athletic Director Deb Brown. The health department ruled that “the team could safely return to school and to workouts on Monday, September 21st.” 

The boys now face some tough challenges in quick succession. They are back to practice on Monday to prepare to face Penn on Tuesday, John Glenn on Thursday, Crown Point on Saturday, and Marian the following Tuesday. After that, it is into tournament play. The Indians also missed out on games against Concord and Munster. It remains unclear as to whether these will be made up though unlikely due to the close proximity of tournament play.

Now more than ever, the team needs as much support from its student section as ever, especially for their senior night contest this Thursday against John Glenn. It really has been a unique year, and the opportunity to play soccer or even attend school is one that could be taken away at any time. Many of the boys’ soccer players hold the same opinion: you can’t take any of this for granted because any game could be the last.