NEW ROCHELLE, NY — On Saturday, August 18, the Monroe Mustangs women’s soccer team took time out from their busy preseason schedule to lend the community a helping hand. In conjunction with Richmond Community Services in Yonkers, sixteen Mustang players helped transport disabled young adults and adults to nearby Untermyer Park so they could enjoy a lovely summer concert. This is part of head coach Jonathan Garbar’s ongoing efforts to broaden the team experience to more than just what takes place on the field and in the classroom.
“We have a group of healthy, intelligent and strong young women who can and should do a lot in our community,” Coach Garbar said. “It’s an honor and a duty to work alongside others who we can support and learn from at the same time.”
Some of the players had done community service before coming to Monroe and some had not. But without exception, they were enthusiastic about helping wheelchair-bound people get to and from the park and sit with them so they could make the most of the fresh air and the Evening of Italian Culture featuring Adesso, which was co-sponsored and planned in collaboration with the Yonkers Columbus Day Celebration Committee.
“It’s great to do something that focuses on others, especially when you can learn from the experience”, said Melanie Formosa, a freshman midfielder/forward from Manhattan. “We’re fortunate to be able to learn from others who share some of the same strength that we have, and even some that don’t. This experience definitely brought our team, which is already close, even closer together.”
Coach Garbar plans to have his team do more community service through the upcoming season, which begins in Rochester, NY this Friday. The Mustangs first home game is on Thursday, September 13 at City Park in New Rochelle beginning at 6:30pm. Last year Monroe reached the national finals. 2012 Women’s Soccer Schedule