By Ryan Mink
Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, November 18, 2007

Esmeraldy Arce could have played for Wilson's varsity team, the Tigers' "upper" team that is independent from DCIAA competition because it would leave the rest of the city's public teams at a competitive disadvantage.

Instead, Arce chose to stay with Wilson's "lower" team, where she is one of just two seniors among 14 freshmen competing against other schools' varsity squads. She made that decision for two reasons: to be a team captain and to win a championship.

Her decision paid off yesterday, as Wilson ended School Without Walls's four-year DCIAA title run with a 3-0 victory at the RFK Auxiliary Field. It was Wilson's first championship since 2000, when the Tigers took the conference's inaugural title.

"Just because you're good doesn't mean you have to play for the upper" team, said Arce, who scored the Tigers' first goal. "It was very tempting to play with people at my level, but I decided it's better to play with people you can teach, to be a team leader. There's more equality here and I have fun."

Another reason for Arce's decision was that Coach Jaime Merlos returned to the Tigers' sideline after taking the past four years off. He coached the last time Wilson won the title.

"In a funny way, it feels like we're bringing [the title] back to where it belongs," Merlos said.

Wilson (16-3) and School Without Walls (10-2) split their two games this season. Arce said she came in feeling extremely confident they could end the Penguins' title streak.

"Senior year, it was time to finally beat School Without Walls," Arce said. "I wanted that title."

Arce scored a little more than midway through the first half and junior Chaucia Sydnor, who assisted Arce's goal, put Wilson up 2-0 with a shot that nicked the bottom of the crossbar. Jessica Trejo scored the Tigers' final goal, again assisted by Sydnor.

Wilson 3, School Without Walls 0 Keep It Close: School Without Walls goalie Helen Snelgrove kept the score closer than it could have been, making several point-blank diving saves. Listen Up: Wilson's Esmeraldy Arce offered teammates inspirational quotes before the game: "If you fall down, you get up," she said. "Quitting is never an option. It's not even in our lexicon." Wilson 3, School Without Walls 0 Keep It Close: School Without Walls goalie Helen Snelgrove kept the score closer than it could have been, making several point-blank diving saves. Listen Up: Wilson's Esmeraldy Arce offered teammates inspirational quotes before the game: "If you fall down, you get up," she said. "Quitting is never an option. It's not even in our lexicon."