On Oct. 21, State High Girls Soccer competed in a game against Central Dauphin, but they were playing for more than themselves. Throughout the season the team has been raising money for Good Day Cafe. Good Day Cafe, located in downtown State College, employs people with disabilities and mental health diagnoses. After the game against Central Dauphin, the total for how much money the team had raised was revealed. The final total? $10,138. 

The girls’ team has been working on this for most of the season.

“Today is the last day of the season, and it’s kind of a culmination of all our fundraising efforts, so we’ll be announcing how much we made,” said senior Abby Edelman, a captain of the team. 

The game itself went to Central Dauphin, State High losing with a final score of 0-5. 

“We’ve had a rough season; we’ve done better than last year, but we haven’t had that much success,” Edelman said. “It’s kind of a transition year, we have a new coach, but it’s been a really positive environment, and has still been fun.” 

After the game, the State High players made their way to the middle of the field, facing their audience in the bleachers. The girls’ fundraising efforts were praised, and they lifted the pieces of paper laid out in front of them, revealing the number: $10,138 for Good Day Cafe.

“We got pledges, we sold bracelets, all kinds of fundraising things, so we’re really excited about that, to be able to give back to the community.” Abby Edelman said. 

“The girls went out and got pledges,” Coach Todd Roth said, “we had online donations, and promoted it through school, and football games.”

Around three or four seasons ago, the girls on the team decided to work to better their community, hence the beginning of When Soccer Becomes Greater. Previously, they’ve supported a child with cancer, and the fight against domestic violence. Now, the girls’ 2021 soccer season is at its end, as the school begins the shift from fall sports to winter ones. During their season, When Soccer Becomes Greater reached its goal and provided support to members of the State College Community.

“I couldn’t be more proud of how they took this cause on […]they were the ones that came up with the idea, the girls really drove this, and the parents, and they really made this effort fantastic,” Coach Roth said. 

Good Day Cafe is located at 286 W Hamilton Avenue, State College. They currently have 13 individuals with disabilities and mental health diagnoses employed. The cafe was developed in response to the 80% unemployment rate for people with mental disabilities, and they serve lunch-type food, and drinks. They are open Monday through Saturday, from 8 AM to 2 PM.