The sixth annual Carne Asada Bowl between Chief Sealth’s junior varsity soccer team and the Secondary BOC (Bilingual Orientation Center School) Internationals ended in a 3-2 victory for the Internationals, but everyone with an empty stomach emerged victorious with a plate full of carne asada tacos with all the fixings and dessert to boot.

The event was originally started by Chief Sealth teacher Delfino Munoz and Principal John Boyd. Boyd was the principal at SBOC before heading to Sealth and they came up with the idea along with International’s coach Juan Carlos Torres.

“Today (SBOC) is one of only a few schools nation-wide designed as a preliminary educational portal through which immigrant children pass in their quest for academic achievement and full participation in American society,” according to their website.

Boyd said SBOC students generally attend the school for two to three semesters in order to get their English to a point where they can find success in Seattle junior high and high schools. This means the soccer team is basically new each year and the kids look forward to the annual bowl game.

“BOC doesn’t get a lot of big games, so they really look forward to (the Carne Asada Bowl),” he said.

Boyd said the event grows each year with more parents and soccer supporters coming out to contribute food and cheer on the footballers.

SBOC teacher Chuck Meding said this year’s turnout was smaller than usual due to a conflict with a family night planned for the school (which he said will have a new name once the school board approves it: Seattle World School), but the crowd was still wildly enthusiastic, cheering on players and occasionally jeering the ref in an entertaining match.

First Half
Speaking of the match, 12 minutes in Tuan Doan scored for the Internationals off an assist from Brian Navarrete to open the score line.

The Seahawks responded with several near misses and consistent pressure on the Internationals’ goal, but were unable to convert in the first half.

30 minutes into the first half Internationals’ Ener Cartagena put his team up 2-0 with a surprise lob from the midfield line that found its way over the Seahawk keepers’ head and into the net.

The first half was marked by impressive first-touch creativity from both teams and several scoring chances for both sides.

Second Half
In the second half the Internationals’ Ricardo Hernandez broke free from Sealth defenders and slotted a shot into the net, putting them up 3-0.

Not content to accept a loss, the Seahawks turned on the pressure throughout the remainder of the half, finally breaking the shutout with a half volley from Justin Miller from 19 yards out. He hit the ball with great pace and it knuckled inside the near post from the right side of the 18-yard box. World class.

In the final seconds of the game Seahawk Logan Smith put in another goal putting the game at 3-2, but the final whistle blew moments later and the Internationals took the win.

With the win, the Internationals get to hold onto the Carne Asada Bowl trophy (Chief Sealth Principal Boyd said he bought the biggest trophy he could find five years ago) until the squads meet again next year.

As the Internationals celebrated their victory on the field a long line was already forming for the post-game feast as the intoxicating smell of beautifully marinated skirt steak filled the air.

The referee for the game grabbed a plate of culinary goodness before leaving the match and said he wished every game ended that way. He was also impressed with the level of play:

“That was a good game,” he said. “Just wait until these kids grow up.”