Soccer Alumni Game Raises $861 For Austin Lancaster Memorial Scholarship
Justin Scott - Info@redarrowpreps.com
8/8/2026
The 2026 version of the Lowell HS Alumni Soccer Game benefiting the Austin Lancaster Memorial Scholarship went off without a hitch. The game which was played on Sunday, July 26th was originally scheduled for the 19th, but was pushed back a week in early planning to avoid competing with the 2026 World Cup final for attention.
Nearly 40 alumni took part in the event which was won in a goal-fest 9-4 by the program’s younger alumni team. The game featured players from as early as the LHS Class of 1988 to recent graduates such as Aquinas soccer player Olivia Blood.
Chelsea Hill (Smit) makes a save on Owen Davis’ shot.
LHS Alumni White just had a little stronger numbers which led alumni game co-organizer Jake Sweet and captain of the Alumni Red team to joke about a change in team selection next year.
LHS Alumni White got off to a strong start with Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne player Jackson Liley scoring two goals, Bryce Thompson scored two, Ryan Baker and David Foster each tallied one. Other goals came from Thompson who had a hat trick. Aaron Morris (class of 2013) added a goal, as did Morrison Ismond, and Grant Breuker on a penalty kick. Olivet’s Lincoln Homolka was a challenge to deal with in net for the Alumni Red team putting on a clinic and a shutout in the first half. Other goalies to step up included Gabe Bendall, fresh off a game winning goal in the day’s prior Sebastian Syzmanski Memorial Soccer Tournament, Chelsea Hill (Smit), and Aiden Ottinger.
Morris is now one of two LHS Class of 2013 members to play in the game after this writer was convinced to put in a four-minute shift at left back despite not playing soccer during my high school days, so hopefully a few more of our former 2013ers join up in the coming years.
Gabe Bendall put in a double soccer shirt that weekend, playing hero the day before with the gamewinning goal in the Sebastian Szymanski Memorial Tournament.
As the game was going on Darlene Lancaster and the scholarship team was helping to run things behind the scenes including bring hot dogs for concessions which were grilled by the varsity players, shirt sales, collecting donations, and getting the pitch ready. LHS players helped with stadium operations including scoreboard. Ben Homolka took the PA position eventually being replaced by outgoing senior Emmett Schaedig.
While it was another hot alumni game with temperatures reaching into the 80’s, but mid-summer is seen as the ideal time for the game with everyone home from college and facility usage being open with no spring or fall sports. The scholarship team and soccer programs plan to hold the game on a similar weekend this next year.
Notable features in the game included Todd Parcheta. The 2024 LHS alumni put in a strong shift despite being in the midst of cancer treatment. The family has noted that the treatments have been going well and were to hopefully conclude this summer.
Todd Parcheta during the 2026 LHS Soccer Alumni Game.
Carter Szymanski, Andrew Snell, Katherine Kroll, Hannah Flynn (Fitzpatrick), Liam Lincolnhol, Amy Copeyon (Carpenter), Ryan Teelander, Owen Davis, Sam Miller, Denny Briggs, Patrick Vogel, Hannah Kinney, Jakob Thompson, Jace Dixon, Sean DenBraven, Callie Pham (Ingram), Owen MacNaughton, and Ben Thompson all featured in the game as well.
The Alumni game is primarily a fundraiser for the Austin Lancaster Memorial Scholarship and after accounting for costs to host, the scholarship raised $861.
“We’re so grateful for everyone’s support,” Alumni game organizer Darlene Lancaster said. “Austin would have loved a game like this and getting to see everyone each year!”
