Hills East Soccer Welcomes Home Former Red Hawk

The Hills East boys soccer team received a special visit last month, when former Red Hawk Cooper Flax returned to his alma mater to connect with the next generation of Hills East soccer players.

Flax, a 2021 Hills East graduate, has taken his passion for soccer to the professional level, currently playing for New York City FC (NYCFC) in Major League Soccer (MLS). His visit offered current players an opportunity to meet someone who once wore the same school colors and has since turned his love of the game into a professional career.

For the Red Hawks, having a former teammate walk back onto campus as a professional athlete was a reminder of what can happen when talent, hard work and dedication come together. Flax’s journey from Hills East to the professional ranks provided a powerful example for players working toward their own soccer goals.

Visits like these also help strengthen the connection between former athletes and the school programs that helped shape them. Flax’s return gave the team a chance to celebrate one of its own while gaining inspiration from someone who understands the challenges and rewards of pursuing the sport at a higher level.

The excitement surrounding the program extends beyond Flax’s visit, as Hills East has another reason to celebrate this season. The Red Hawks have officially clinched a spot in the postseason and are preparing for an important playoff matchup this week.

After a season of competition and hard work, earning a playoff berth gives the team an opportunity to continue its run and make the most of the postseason. With a former Red Hawk now competing in MLS serving as an example of what is possible, the current squad has plenty of inspiration as it takes the field for the next chapter of its season.

Flax’s return was a memorable moment for the Hills East soccer community, arriving at an exciting time for a program looking to make its mark in the playoffs.