If there’s one thing that Evie Regas loves as much or more than playing for Homewood-Flossmoor’s girls soccer team, it’s being a part of the school’s unified teams in soccer and track.
The unified teams, in conjunction with the Special Olympics, have rosters that bring together special education students with general education students.
And Regas enjoyed it so much that it inspired a new career plan.
“It’s so much fun,” she said. “There’s not the pressure that there normally is playing sports. It’s still competitive but everyone is having a good time. I started it junior year and wish I would have started doing it my freshman year, honestly.
“I’m going to major in special education in college, so it definitely helped me find my passion and my calling.”
Of course, Regas still has some time to make memories first for H-F in soccer. She produced a special moment on senior night Thursday, scoring a goal in the second half to lift the host Vikings to a 3-2 nonconference win over Bloom in Flossmoor.
Isla Thomson provided a goal and an assist for H-F (5-9), while Paris Jones added a goal.
Da’Vyne Peterson and Zenaida Esquivel both scored for Bloom (10-5), which had a five-game winning streak snapped.
Regas buried a high shot from 35 yards to give H-F a 2-0 lead with 25:07 to play, coming just over two minutes after Thomson broke the scoreless tie. It was Regas’ third goal of the season.
“It’s definitely a nice moment,” she said. “It makes me reflect back on when I was a freshman and I watched my favorite seniors win their senior night. It’s a great feeling.”
Much like the feelings Regas gets competing with Special Olympics athletes.
“We have a unified gym class here with about 50% special education and 50% general education kids,” she said. “I really enjoyed that class and that led me to Special Olympics, and I started getting more and more involved. It’s been great.”
H-F coach Ali Farkos has enjoyed watching Regas find her passion.
“She’s phenomenal,” Farkos said. “It’s been great seeing her get so involved with Special Olympics and now it’s her career path. She’s the best.
“It’s been so great having her back for her senior season.”
Indeed, Regas is making a triumphant return this spring. She missed her entire junior season after having back surgery.
“It was my first year off from soccer since I started when I was 4 or 5 years old,” Regas said. “It stunk, but it’s been great being able to come back and play my senior year.”
The road back wasn’t always smooth, either.
“Honestly, the physical part was easier than the mental part,” Regas said. “There were definitely a lot of mental blocks I had to get over. Stuff happens. You just have to persevere and make the best out of it. I did everything I could do to recover and now I’m back.”
Thomson is certainly thrilled about that.
“Evie got hurt last year and it was kind of like a missing piece,” Thomson said. “This year, she’s brought in a big leadership role. She’s very vocal and a very good player. She brings the energy and she uplifts us even if we’re down.
“I love having her back all the time.”
The Vikings held off a furious late rally from Bloom — which scored twice in the final 18 minutes — to make it a fun senior night.
And when it comes to having a good time, Regas has a recommendation.
“I really encourage everyone to get involved with unified sports,” she said. “I love the positivity. Everyone’s upfront. There are usually good vibes.
“It’s generic to say everything, but I really love everything about it.”
