JOE KAPENSTEIN / For The Inquirer
Stern Hebrew's Jake Marcus (foreground) unloaded a shot attempt during the team's 4-3 victory over Calvary Christian on Oct. 26. The Blue Storm recorded its first winning season this year.
A winning season is cause for celebration
The Stern Hebrew boys' soccer team didn't win a title, but a 4-2 record suited them just fine.
The Stern Hebrew boys' soccer team didn't win the state championship this fall. It finished the season with a 4-2 record, just two games over .500 in a short six-game schedule.
But you wouldn't know that by the players' reaction after their 4-3 victory over Calvary Christian Academy on Oct. 26.
"They put me up on their shoulders," coach Jack Kapenstein said. "They squirted me with water. It was the first time in my life I ever got that treatment."
It was also the first time the Blue Storm recorded a winning season in the history of their three-year-old program. The Orthodox Jewish school, which has existed since 2000, has 47 boys, 16 of whom play on the soccer team.
The school hired Kapenstein, a neighborhood soccer buff and official, as its coach two years ago. Since then, the young program has only improved.
"I live down the block from the school, and I have a soccer background, so they hired me," Kapenstein said. "We're having a good time."
Kapenstein wasn't the sole force behind Stern Hebrew's improvement on the soccer field. The team is anchored by juniors Leon Aboudi and Jake Marcus.
With Aboudi's scoring ability - he led the Blue Storm with eight goals and six assists - and Marcus's speed, Stern Hebrew was able to out-attack most teams they played.
"He might be the best athlete I've ever coached," Kapenstein said of Marcus. "He plays like he's 6-foot-3, but he's actually just 5-3. He's really fast."
Despite recent success, it is unlikely that the Blue Storm will join a league anytime soon. The religious nature of the school forbids boys and girls from mixing, and competing against a school with cheerleaders or a large female crowd could violate Stern Hebrew's ideals.
"Everything has to be separate sex at this school," Kapenstein said. "If you understand Orthodox Judaism, it is very restrictive that way. I would think that would be the reason why we're not in a league."
The small school will be relocating from its location on Hoffnagle Street to 54th and City Avenue starting next year.
Kapenstein said his team has a good shot at going undefeated next season. Out of the 16 players on the squad, only one is graduating.
While the second-year coach would like to continue and build the small program, he isn't sure he can make the 45-minute commute.
"I'm hoping I can," he said. "I like the kids. It's a fun group, and they're good athletes."
