Soccer player’s sister
kicks into a new battle

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Dave Boginsky is on a mission to help the Cardinal Dougherty soccer team reach the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
But his sister, Bernadette, is on a much bigger mission.
She enlisted with the United States Army four months ago and recently completed boot camp.
"I think it’s really tough," said Dave, referring to his sister’s new career path. "I don’t want her going overseas. I hope they end the war soon. It’s really scary. I don’t want her to get hurt over there."
After completing her training, Bernadette returned home to Fox Chase to spend time with her family. For now, she has not been assigned overseas, although there is a distinct possibility she could be in the near future.
"I support my sister one-hundred percent, but I do not agree with the war at all," said Dave. "I worry about her. She’s a tough girl, but I don’t know about over there. Anything can happen. Anyone can break down over there."
Despite any apprehensions about his sister’s decision, Dave has found inspiration in her bravery.
"My sister didn’t really know what she wanted to do, so she went into the Army. She figured the Army would give her help in college," explained Dave. "She decided what she wanted to do, so now that only motivates me more. I’m trying to succeed this year in soccer and hopefully get a scholarship for college."
Dave — a senior at Cardinal Dougherty — plays midfield for the Cardinals. As one of 12 seniors on this year’s squad, he is working hard in hopes of making a run at the playoffs.
"We have a really strong team this year," he said. "We’re hoping to step it up and win some games. Last year we went 1-13, and we’re trying to turn that number around. But I figure our backs are against the wall and we can only go up."
The Cardinals last reached the soccer playoffs in 1993 when coach Larry Teal — who also is Boginsky’s cousin — was a senior at Cardinal Dougherty.
"I love coaching my cousin," said Teal. "Half the people wouldn’t even know he’s my cousin. I do not treat him any differently than the other players. I feel like I can’t. I owe it to him to be his coach. It’s awesome. I’m really proud of him."
Growing up, Boginsky and Teal would talk shop during holiday gatherings or any other chance they could find.
Now it’s hard to separate the two soccer fanatics. "I used to go to family parties and he would sometimes talk to me about soccer and stuff," said Dave. "But now I go to family parties and I approach him and just talk and talk all night about soccer and the team. It gets me really motivated."
This is the second year the duo have shared the Cardinals’ spirit. Dave started his high school career at Northeast before transferring to Cardinal Dougherty in his junior year.
"My mom went to Dougherty, and she really wanted me to go here," said Dave, whose mother, Theresa, graduated in 1973. "But my freshman year she really didn’t have the money to send me to Catholic school."
But a mother’s determination never fails. After a lot of hard work and a job promotion, Cardinal Dougherty was soon within the Boginsky budget.
"I like that Dougherty is much smaller," said Dave. "There are about twenty kids in each class at Dougherty, and I love that. Plus you know everybody’s name."
His athletic career experienced an improvement as well.
"Catholic League is much better," he said. "The level of play is more intense and more physical. In public schools there are a lot more kids trying out for the teams, so it’s tougher to make the team.
"At Dougherty, not too many kids came out this year, but in a way that makes us all closer to one another," he added. "I’m really happy I came here." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com