Welcome to the herd
The sun was low over Randolph Union High School, casting long shadows across the U12 fields. You could hear the thump of a ball, the laughter of teammates, and the sizzle of burgers on the grill. It was Wednesday evening, and Moose FC was alive!
This summer, something new took root in Randolph. Moose FC - a coed adult soccer league born from the same soil as Central Vermont FC - gathered neighbors, friends, and strangers into teams with names like Red Sharks, Bruisers, Mangy Moose, Rogue United, OG Moose, and the now-champions, Pulisic for President. The league was the brainchild of Matt Murawski and Casey Grimes, founders of CVFC, who’ve long believed that sport should be as much about community as competition.
And it was.
The games were played 8v8, with rules that made room for fun and fairness. No slide tackles. No offsides. Two women on the field at all times. Pinnies instead of uniforms. Substitutions on the fly. It was soccer, yes, but it was also storytelling, every match a chapter in a summer tale that felt distinctly Vermont.
At the final tournament, the younger Moose - CVFC’s youth players - ran the grill. They sold every last hot dog and burger, smoke curling into the evening air while parents and players swapped stories and cheered from the sidelines. It was a gathering.
David Donahue, who tore his Achilles heel after just his second week, still came to the final match. He stood quietly near the edge of the field, watching his team play. “It’s great to be able to play,” he said. “Even when you can’t, you still feel part of it.”
Ari and Matt from Make Do Farm had only just discovered Moose FC, but they were already hooked. “It’s fantastic to be able to play,” Ari said. “We’re so happy we found this.” They plan to return next year, bringing their own rhythm and rural grit to the pitch.
And then there was the championship. Pulisic for President took the title, their final match a mix of grit and grace. They played with heart, and they celebrated with humility - just as Moose FC was meant to be.
There were no grandstands. No flashing lights. Just a field, a ball, and a community that showed up. Randolph was the perfect home for it. Not just because of the location, but because of the spirit.
If you want to learn more, or maybe join the herd next season, you can visit www.moosefc.com. But for now, just picture it: the sun setting over the fields, the sound of cleats on grass, and the smell of barbecue drifting through the Vermont air.
Camaraderie – Community – Competition. Go Moose!
