One world, one Passion
- 27 October 2010
In many ways, it's a stereotypical Lancaster County town.There's a cloister that dates back to 1732, when it served as a worship center for German settlers.
There's a certain farmers market that's been running strong since 1932.
And, of course, there's a massive community fair each fall, which closes its downtown streets for an entire week.
All of which could add to the confusion when driving by the soccer field at Ephrata High School these days.
Perhaps you'll notice a few kids speaking in Arabic, German, Ukranian or Kikuyu while working through practice drills.
Or someone calling for the "mpira," which is Swahili for "ball."
"It's been interesting," Ephrata coach Rob Deininger said. "It's been eye-opening for everybody."
In a good way, considering it's an education you generally won't find in your typical classroom.
Throughout the Mountaineers' junior high and high school soccer programs, kids from 13 different countries (counting the United States) are represented -- the majority of whom were born in those countries -- and 10 different languages are spoken.
Kenya's Njenga Kamau (23) is one of several players from overseas who give the Mounts'
soccer program an international flavor. © Suzette Wenger
Ephrata has seven kids in its system who are from Colombia, there are two from Ecuador, Peru and Iraq and others from Ethiopia, Argentina, Chile, Russia, Ukraine, Kenya, Mexico and Germany.
Talk about a communication gap.
Well, not exactly.
"They all communicate extremely well in English, too," Deininger said.
"They speak better English than I do," he added with a laugh.
All of which could help explain why Ephrata -- coming off an appearance in the L-L League semifinals -- will be taking a 12-5-3 record into the District Three playoffs.
And while the languages they speak aren't always familiar, the Mounts' first-round opponent certainly is.
Thursday at 3:30 p.m., Ephrata will meet L-L Section Two foe Conestoga Valley (14-3-2) for the third time this season in a Class AAA lid-lifter. The game will be played on Conestoga Valley's home field.
The first two meetings resulted in a pair of double-overtime ties -- 2-2 on Sept. 11 and 0-0 on Oct. 7.
"They'll be ready and we'll be ready," Deininger said. "It will be a great match."
Ephrata, for one, isn't looking forward to the ride ending any time soon.
Proof, perhaps, that sports transcend borders.
"They enjoy (playing together) so much," Deininger said of his guys. "They're just thrilled to participate in a school program like this. When they were back home (in their native countries) some of them might not have had this opportunity. They might have had to work or do something else to support (their families)."
Interestingly enough, their differences actually seem to have brought the the Mounts closer together.
Thus, their team motto: "One world, one passion."
"We got together and started talking about school systems, political (situations) and religious beliefs (of their home countries) and they were all very different," Deininger said. "The one thing they all had in common was the soccer ball.
"When we get out on the grass ... they're all just teenagers," he continued. "They're kids, no matter where in the world they're from. They're just like our students. They're happy to play, to be outside or to be in the classroom. They're eager to learn some things and experience different things in life."
Led up front by Ben Vavreck (13 goals, 2 assists), Nate Latshaw (6, 10), Kyle Phillips (4, 7) and Jair Saenz (3, 6), Ephrata is now hoping to experience a district playoff run.
Backed by goalie Brooks Carr (10 shutouts), having a defense that's allowed just 14 goals in 20 games this fall figures to help in that endeavor.
Especially considering that, should Ephrata win Thursday, reigning L-L League champion Hempfield could be waiting in the next round.
Familiarity, it would seem, isn't always all its cracked up to be.
Something Ephrata's players have known for a while now, in so many ways.
"It's been a good, rewarding experience, and not just a soccer experience for us," Deininger said.
"It's been pretty neat actually."
We here at www.ephratamounts.com are proud sponsors of the Dodgeball for Diabetes tournament.