!["It's not a day I'll ever forget. Matter of fact, I have over 100 videos in my camera [roll] right now about today," team captain Obed Antonio said.](https://media.newscentermaine.com/assets/NCM/images/fa320415-1793-41a0-a0e6-af2fcbd59cd6/fa320415-1793-41a0-a0e6-af2fcbd59cd6_1920x1080.jpg)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots welcomed the Lewiston High School boys soccer team to Gillette Stadium as honorary guests before the Patriots' game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Lewiston won a state title this season, just weeks after a mass shooting tragedy. The victory was dedicated to their community.
Robert Kraft met the team and showed them all of the Lombardi trophies, even letting them try on Super Bowl rings. The team also served as the honorary "Keepers of the Light" — a new, pregame tradition that started this season.
“This has been one of the greatest days I’ve ever had. It’s just a great experience. I’ve been a Patriots fan my whole life, so this is cool," Payson Goyette, the team's goalie, said.
Coach Dan Gish said he was "floored" when he got the invitation for his team to go to Foxborough.
"For them to think of us and think of the families and the victims and what happened and how these guys withstood the pressure of doing it for the city, along with what comes with playing for a state championship — it was pretty awesome to get that invitation," Gish said.
Kraft told the Lewiston boys about the Patriots' history, drawing comparisons from his dynasty to the one Lewiston is trying to create.
"I love how he was comparing his team to our team. Comparing how they are champions and how we are champions as well," team captain Obed Antonio said. "It's not a day I'll ever forget. Matter of fact, I have over 100 videos in my camera [roll] right now about today."
“We used the word 'We' and not 'Me' this season, and it was unselfish acts of players just doing what’s best for the team and what’s best for the community," Gish explained. "They understood we’re all on one big team."