You may play it, but do you know how the sport of soccer got it’s name? According to the History Channel online, soccer as we know it today started in 1863 when people shared the same set of rules for all matches. This version of the game was called Association Football.

“The word soccer comes from a slang abbreviation of the word association, which British players of the day adapted as ‘assoc,’ ‘assoccer’ and eventually soccer or soccer football,” stated the History Channel.

Whatever the name origin of soccer, Jackie Giella, a fifth-grader from Patrick M. Villano School, likes to play it.

“The thing I like most about soccer is scoring goals,” Giella said. She plays or practices soccer year round. “My team’s best game was against Demarest. We won 7-4. My team’s worst game was against World Class. We lost 7-0.”

Giella plays midfield and center back positions on her team. Tyler Trass, another fifth-grade student, has a love for soccer and watches it on a daily basis.

“The thing I like most about soccer is the aggressiveness,” Trass said. “My best game was the tournament final game. That was the best defense I ever played. My worst game I ever had was against World Class. I played bad defense, had no goals and no assists. We lost that game 8-0.”

Ayden Ellis, another fifth-grader, has a strong love of soccer just like Trass.

“It’s fun going to towns and playing them and working with my teammates,” Trass said. He plays right defense and right wing. “Our best game is when we first played one bad team we beat 7-0. When we faced World Class, we lost 8-0.”

Hailey Carcich plays multiple sports, but truly loves soccer. She plays goalie and left and right wing.

“My favorite part of soccer is playing goalie,” Carcich stated. “My best game was against Demarest 5-2. My worst game was against Lyndhurst. We lost 7-0.”

Even though records and positions vary, it seems most people who play love the sport.