Female football coaches at 2 Chicago high schools meet in history-making game

CHICAGO (WLS) — For the primary time, two highschool soccer groups coached by ladies confronted off towards one another.

That has by no means occurred earlier than anyplace within the nation, in line with the Illinois Excessive Faculty Affiliation.

The Chicago Public League matchup between the DuSable Panthers and the Fenger Titans was held Thursday in Gately Stadium within the Pullman neighborhood.

Fenger fan Crystal Morrell got here to see historical past in motion.

“I am right here to assist two African American ladies,” she mentioned.

DuSable head coach Konesha Rhea is the second girl to educate soccer within the CPL.

This college yr, Fenger head coach Jouscelyn Mayfield grew to become the third girl to guide a soccer workforce within the league after some encouragement from Rhea.

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Rhea and Mayfield grew to become opponents when their groups took to the sphere.

“Win or lose, she and I each win on this competitors,” Mayfield mentioned.

“That is the primary time I can look throughout the sphere and see a me. And which means one thing,” Rhea mentioned.

Mayfield and Rhea mentioned their curiosity in soccer goes again to childhood.

“I’ve all the time beloved the sport. I’ve performed the sport,” Mayfield mentioned.

“I used to be visiting my aunt in Harvey sooner or later and the boys needed to go to nook of 157th and Lexington and play and I joined them and fell in love with the sport,” Rhea mentioned.

DuSable fan Anthony Brooks needed to make a break from his spouse and son initially of the sport. They’re all graduates of Fenger, besides him.

“I am hoping that we win, I am not saying Titans could lose,” he mentioned.

His son, Jayson Brooks, had a warning for his dad throughout the sport.

“They won’t be going dwelling collectively tonight relying on the end result of this sport,” he mentioned.