Julio Godoy Makes Instant Impact as an Anteater
October 27, 2016 | Men's Soccer
Photo Galleries: Draft Day | Match Night vs. UC Riverside
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine and Team IMPACT joined forces to bring Julio Godoy onto the team last week, and Tuesday, the Anteaters made it official.
In front of his family, the UC Irvine administration, Team IMPACT, the media, and the entire men's soccer team, they made it official signing Julio to his Letter of Commitment.
"Every player that's ever come through this program has had to officially sign, and today is your day, Julio," said Head Coach Chris Volk as he and senior captain Matthew Tilley welcomed Julio to the team. Julio then had a few words of his own for his new teammates.
"Thank you for letting me be part of your team. It feels good to be a part of the family."
Julio then sat down with coach and Tilley, and signed his name on the dotted line officially making him a UC Irvine Anteater. Randall McDermott then joined the Julio and Tilley on stage to present him with his very own jersey fashioned with his favorite number, 19, as coach Volk told Julio he would be joining the team as an honorary captain on the field for the match the following night.
The ceremony concluded with a short video of messages from former Anteaters now playing professionally, Sacramento Republic FC's Cameron Iwasa, Indy Eleven's Marco Franco, and Seattle Sounders FC captain Brad Evans.
Some select media members were there to ask Julio questions including Fox Soccer broadcaster and UC Irvine assistant coach, Keith Costigan, who inquired about Julio's position he will play and favorite player on his new team to which replied, like a true team player would, that he played every position and he liked every player on the team equally.
"Very emotional," added Julio's mother, Maria, "but he doesn't like for us to show emotion. Ever since we were in the hospital too, he hasn't let us shed a tear. He's our little hero."
Emotions were high around the room, but all of joy and excitement as Julio fielded questions from local film crews, posed for photos with the entire team and Peter the Anteater, and led the team in a cheer to punctuate the ceremony.
"I was really excited to meet him, excited to be a part of it. I volunteered to be one of the head guys on the team to initiate it because it was something very personal to me," added Tilley who also knew somebody that battled with Aplastic Anemia like Julio.
"It's all very emotional, everything he's gone through and what he's going through right now," noted Julio's father, Julio Sr. "It's a beautiful experience."
The next night, Julio arrived to the field alongside his new teammates warming up before the match. He was joined at midfield with the center referee and captain Matthew Tilley to ceremoniously kick off the match, and was presented with a game ball signed by the entire squad. He then flipped the coin at the coin toss with both teams' captains before walking out for the player introductions.
The match played on and found the Anteaters trailing by a goal heading into the final 10 minutes of play. UC Irvine was able to reach down and pull out a goal in the 84th minute to tie the match, made two stellar saves on the defensive end to keep it tied, and then McDermott, a personal favorite and advocate to Julio, deposited a masterful strike for the game-winning goal with less than four minutes remaining to bring a win to Julio and UC Irvine.
"Team IMPACT, dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, just like Julio, who are facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses, through the power of team, matches children with college athletic teams local to where the child lives. The impact of the program lasts well beyond time on the field or court as we have found that the children gain strength, camaraderie and support while the student athletes are taught lessons about courage, resiliency and life perspective that they can't learn in the classroom," added Team IMPACT Executive Director, Seth Rosenzwieg.
"We are inspired by the great teammates we continue to add to the program, like Julio, that allow us to expand our national footprint. This is an exciting time for Team IMPACT as we build upon the foundation of our first five years and 1,000 matches and continue to look for other children who can benefit from the program."
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