Submitted Photo Dunkirk Boys Modified Soccer Coach Zachery Meadows shares a proud moment with one of his players, Eliseo Vega, who scored his first goal against Fredonia at a recent home game.

At a recent home game against Fredonia, Dunkirk’s Modified Boys soccer team was struggling to score against their rival. According to Dunkirk coach Zachery Meadows, “The score was getting pretty high,” much to the disappointment of his team.

One of his players, Eliseo Vega, was particularly optimistic, however.

“Every game, Eliseo tells me he’s going to score a goal,” Meadows said of the eighth grade student, who also has autism. “He asked to go in and he played some defense,” Meadows explained.

Then, something surprising happened.

“The Fredonia coach (Aaron Pietro) asked to meet me at half field,” Meadows said. “We talked and he said that in a few minutes, he was going to call a timeout.”

After the timeout, the ball was thrown back in to Vega, who hustled to score a goal against the Fredonia team. Meadows explained, “He stumbled a couple times, but with a little help from Fredonia’s goalkeeper, he scored!”

Not only was Vega elated, but Meadows said fans from both sides were cheering loudly, as both teams helped Vega score his goal. “I know it was a rivalry game,” Meadows reflected, “but you wouldn’t have known it. It was a very good moment for all of us.” Although Fredonia ended up winning the game, players from both teams enjoyed Vega’s victory.