All in the family
for Borski

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Throughout Northeast Philadelphia, the Borski family has become well-known in high school sports.
It started with soccer player Darci Borski, who scored 100 goals at Nazareth Academy and was named the Catholic Academies League most valuable player four times.
She continued her success at the University of Virginia, where she was the team’s leading scorer in 2002 and eventually was drafted by the Women’s United Soccer Association. She played for the Washington Freedom and the Philadelphia Charge before playing professionally in Europe.
Next in line was Jen, who graduated from Nazareth Academy in 2000. Now 25, she too was a natural on the soccer field, but her career was cut short by three knee injuries — tears of the anterior cruciate ligament.
The oldest Borski sister, Jill, also is a Panda alumna. However, instead of soccer, she preferred to strut her stuff by playing field hockey.
And now, after years of watching her sisters build a tradition of triumph at Nazareth Academy, it’s Maggie’s turn to step up.
The Nazareth Academy freshman, the youngest of the Borski clan, is working hard to follow in her sisters’ successful footsteps.
"My sisters have really helped me out," said Maggie, who plays forward for the Pandas. "When they were playing in high school, I was really little. But now, it’s fun practicing together. They’re always giving me tips to help my game."
Life on the pitch has always been a family affair for the Borskis. Maggie may have been in a stroller during Darci’s glory days with the Pandas, but she was there — on the sidelines with their mother, Barbara, at every game.
Not much has changed.
"My parents come to all my games," said Maggie, the daughter of Robert A. Borski, the former congressman from the Northeast. "My brother plays soccer for Holy Ghost, so if we have a game at the same time, my mom will go to one and my dad will go to the other. But they’re always there for us, and always very supportive."
Maggie’s brother, Robert, is the only guy among the Borski clan, but he’s just as talented on the pitch. The forward has helped the Holy Ghost High School soccer team to an impressive 11-1-2 record this season.
Maggie’s older siblings have left some big cleats to fill. But the 14-year-old is up to the challenge.
"You would think there is a lot of pressure, but it’s not so bad," said Maggie. "I’m not trying to score one-hundred goals every game. I just do my best and have fun with it. I don’t really let the pressure get to me."
And there are some positives to having those athletic sisters.
"I definitely have an advantage because my sisters have taught me so much," said Maggie. "I learned a lot from them. They’ve always been willing to help.
"I went to Nazareth because my sisters went there and I grew up always knowing that school," she added. "I really like it there. It’s close to my house and the people are really great."
In addition to being the youngest in her family, Maggie also had to adapt to being among the youngest in her new school.
"Adjusting to high school wasn’t too tough," she said. "Getting to know my teachers and understanding what they expect from me was a little hard. But that’s it. Soccer helped me feel a lot more comfortable and helped me make new friends."
Maggie was instantly welcomed into Nazareth Academy’s family. And, thanks to "Freshman Week," it was an unforgettable beginning.
One of the oldest traditions at Nazareth, "Freshman Week" is a five-day affair full of pranks that seniors pull on the newcomers.
After that week of initiation, the freshmen are rewarded with a schoolwide celebration.
"Freshman Week was great!" said Maggie. "The whole soccer team went out together to the mall and had a blast. I had to propose to a stranger and I had to wear a box around the mall that was called ‘the Borski Bus.’ But I didn’t mind. It’s all in good fun, and I really enjoyed the whole week.
"My sisters warned me a little bit about Freshman Week," she continued. "They just said to listen to the seniors and I’ll be fine."
These days she’s easing into her freshman year at Nazareth. She plans to stay active once soccer season ends by moving on to the Pandas’ basketball team. The point guard has been playing basketball for more than eight years.
Her real passion, though, is soccer.
"I just love the game," said Maggie. "But I never really enjoyed soccer as much as when I came to Nazareth. I love my teammates. They make soccer that much more fun for me." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com