The varela varsity boy’s soccer team overcame the one their biggest challenges by beating sunset, the national champions, and becoming district champions for the second time in three years this season.

However, the team hasn’t been able to capture a regional victory as they have lost to sunset in the regional finals two years in a row. Earlier this season, the district championship match up between Varela and Sunset came down to the wire.



The score was 1 to 1 after 80 minutes of regulation where after two ten minutes sudden death rounds were played, the game was finally decided in the penalty kick round. Varela outscored sunset 4-5, for a final score of 6-5. “We played with a lot of heart and the hard work and preparation at practice paid off,” said Coach Polo. This accomplishment is even more amazing being that half of this year’s team is made up of underclassmen. The rivalry between Sunset and Varela is at its peak given the fact that Sunset has a couple of former Varela students on its team. Varela will need to perform at its best level in the regional finals if they hope to gain the edge in their fierce rivalry with Sunset.