Lyric famous how the teammates joined forces after first enjoying different sports activities.

“I really like sports activities and really feel prefer it’s an excellent, various sport, that for those who play some other sport, it simply interprets,” Lyric mentioned. “I actually loved my expertise with enjoying flag soccer.”

And whereas the Vikings and Minnesotans plan to proceed advancing ladies flag soccer, this expertise is presenting crew member Maggie Donovan with an enhanced connection to her previous.

Her grandfather Fred Zamberletti served because the Vikings unique athletic coach, starting his outstanding run within the franchise’s 1961 inaugural season. The Vikings Ring of Honor member handed away in 2018 at age 86, however Zamberletti’s legacy with the group continues to be felt.

The coaching room at Twin Cities Orthopedics Efficiency Middle is known as in his honor, and Zamberletti was offered with an Award of Excellence by the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2022.

“It has been actually surreal, actually nice, as a result of I’ve at all times wished to be nearer to the place my grandpa used to work, and I do know he cherished it a lot right here,” Donovan mentioned. “It is superb to be part of this and have that legacy.

“Once I heard about this, it was a no brainer that I wished to do that as a result of it is so nice,” she added. “I need to really feel like I am honoring him indirectly by doing this, and I do know he would have cherished it, and I do know he is trying on.”

Donovan started enjoying flag soccer when she started center college.

“It has been a lot enjoyable. I really like sports activities and being lively, and the one factor I cherished about enjoying flag soccer with these ladies and my different teammates, it is such a supporting and enjoyable atmosphere,” Donovan mentioned. “No one is there to make you’re feeling unhealthy. It is a enjoyable sport and you may be aggressive and be your self.”