Phoenix College Host Championship Ring Ceremony for Women's Teams

PHOENIX- The Phoenix College women’s soccer and softball teams received their championship rings in a ring ceremony at the “We Are the Champions” Homecoming game, an event that is held annually at the college.

Both the softball and soccer teams had a unique year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That didn’t stop the teams from going out and being the best, they could be.

“They are special so goal-oriented and had one thing on their mind and that was to win a national championship,” said Coach Heinz Mueller, the head coach of the Phoenix College women’s softball team.

The woman’s soccer team had its fair share of obstacles. In the beginning, the soccer team had practiced over ZOOM and when they were finally able to return to the field the players did conditioning exercises as the six-feet apart rule did not allow contact. “On the field, the girls were in 10 by 10 grids, masks on, couldn’t touch and couldn’t hug,” said Coach Chris Sagar, the head coach for the Phoenix College women’s soccer team. “They would come in and run and do fitness for two hours, but you could see the smiles through their masks that they were appreciating that they were given a chance to get back on the field.”

It was touch and go for a while as to whether the team would be able to play on the field at all during the season, which made the players not take playing time for granted. “We were always in a mode where we were adapting and adjusting there were times when we weren’t sure if we were going to play, we were just excited for the chance,” said Sagar.

As for the softball team, they had an undefeated season before the COVID-19 pandemic cut their previous season short. Although that filled the team with disappointment, that gave Mueller a chance to coach most of the team again. “Because of COVID, we ended up getting almost the entire team back the year before, so they already knew the system,” said Mueller. “They came back the next year and that was one of the easiest coaching jobs I’d ever had to do.”

Something that made both teams so special and strong was the sense of family among the women. “I love them they are like my own kids I’m up in years but each year they rejuvenate me, and that team is really special,” said Mueller.

The soccer team was no different, the sense of family was one of the driving forces to their championship victory. “We talk about family, but this group was the tightest family in the years I’ve been here with the support and love that they had for each other,” said Sagar. “There were a couple of times in the season and in the championship where we were close to being knocked out. It’s one of those we just went back to what got us there.”

For the players, the love and respect that they have for one another were one of the reasons that the championship ring was so special. “I enjoy it, all the girls get along which is something I never had as a child playing with women, so I really love it honestly,” said Rachel Rubio the left-back on the soccer team who is in her second year at Phoenix College.

As for the new players on the roster, that respect and love haven’t changed among the team. “It’s honestly a great experience I love all the girls they have been so welcoming and instantly we connected on the field and off the field,” said Angela Moreno who is the midfielder and first-year student at Phoenix College.

Despite the COVID-19 challenges that the girls had to face while not only being an athlete but being a student was admirable from online practices to online classes. Being able to play on the field and bring home championships to Phoenix College was rewarding for both teams and being able to end the season and celebrate with the ring ceremony at this year’s homecoming was an experience that will live on in the history of both programs. Especially the softball team who brought a championship home for the first time in ten years.

“We are appreciative of Maricopa Community Colleges and our chancellor for giving us the opportunity to play,” said Sagar. “A lot of good people did not play around the country the fact that we had a chance to play, and we did it safely and got through it. I’m so appreciative that these student-athletes got to play and had a chance to win the national championship.”