![Reaching out. Christopher Lesh, student at Central Catholic High School, serves ice cream during the event on March 2, 2025, at the Portland waterfront. Central Catholic was just one of the schools that sent student volunteers out to cook, prepare, dish, and serve food. Interact club’s co-president Rachel Gerber, junior, plated the food during the event. “I like how direct the contact is,” Gerber said. “You’re there [and] you’re just doing something good. It’s simple, it’s easy, you can feel good about it.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/interact-1-edited-1200x744.jpg)
*WEB CONTINUATION: This article originally appeared in Volume 105 Issue 4 of our news magazine, Amplifier.
A little under 30 minutes away from the high school in the business district of Tualatin, there’s a place where students come together with the uniting force of a love for indoor soccer.
The Tualatin Indoor Soccer Center attracts all kinds of players, with different backgrounds and experiences.
Teddy Bierman, sophomore, is a soccer player for the Willamette United Football Club (WUFC). Her mom is a coach for her team, and Bierman has been playing soccer since she was in first grade. After trying out several different sports such as softball and ballet, Bierman decided to stick with soccer.
“I connected with people the most during soccer. Soccer for me was just easier to pick up,” Bierman said.
Bierman has also played outdoor soccer, but indoor soccer provides a unique aspect to the sport.
(Finley Springer)
“I would say it’s a lot [faster] paced,” Bierman said. “You have to make critical decisions, and you have to know how to play the ball.”
James Mallory, senior, has played many sports throughout his life, but has consistently stayed with soccer.
“My mom coached me growing up, so that’s got a special place in my heart,” Mallory said.
Tualatin Indoor Soccer Center has been in use since 2002 and was founded by Monty Hawkins.
Zachary Briggs, senior, also plays for WUFC and frequents the indoor soccer field. He has been playing soccer for thirteen years, since he was in kindergarten.
“A lot of my friends were doing it. It was just really fun, and it just kind of stuck with me,” Briggs said.
A unique aspect about playing recreational soccer for WUFC is that the teams are co-ed.
“I’ve met a lot of new people who I wouldn’t typically talk with, and I’ve just been able to develop relationships and bonds with them. It’s also been a lot of fun,” Briggs said.
The team won their last game of the season, and now they are looking forward to the outdoor season.
“We were all supportive of each other, lots of smiles,” Mallory said. “I think we just went out and had a good time.”
