On a day of Maryland high school soccer championships, one team was playing for more: the legacy of their friend and former teammate Stephen Bogusky.
"I definitely felt him today," senior goalkeeper Liam Cullen said.
The 18-year-old was killed in a car crash in Towson over the summer, just days before he was leaving for his first year of college.
Before graduating this year, he played lacrosse and soccer at Friends. After learning the news just days before pre-season started, the soccer team decided to dedicate their season to him. The championship game Sunday signaled the end of a hard-fought season.
"He was really what drove us to go this far," Cullen said. "Basically the whole season, he was with us. We felt him every game."
Stephen was out on the field last year, scoring to help lead the team to their first championship victory since 1999. This year, Cullen says he was there in spirit. While they ended up losing to Concordia, it really wasn't about the score at all.
"Tonight’s game meant everything. Not only for the team, but the community around Friends School, everyone connected to the Bogusky family," Cullen said. "He just brought a lot of life and spirit to the team. He would be there for you and every moment that you felt down."
The Friends School of Baltimore created a scholarship in Stephen's honor, to support student-athletes and Cullen says the lacrosse team will also be dedicating their season to him.
